One Book One Springfield: What Is "One Book"?

What Is "One Book"?

Mayor's Proclamation: One Book, One Springfield Project

Why one book and why Springfield? We live in a time when individuality, choice and diversity have become our mottoes. People living in Springfield, as in so many other cities in the United States, hail from many different countries, speak a variety of languages, hold different religious beliefs, have skin tones of many hues, and have hair of different color, texture and length. People of Springfield are also different in terms of their level of income, educational achievement and social status. So when a phenomenon comes along that allows all of these differences to be taken off the table, for everyone to be on common ground, we relish the opportunity.

This is the philosophy behind One Book, One Springfield. The Washington Center for the Book initiated the first One Book project in 1998. Everyone in the city is encouraged to read the same book within a certain time period. It can be in any format (written, books on CD, audiotape, translations, etc.). Then people gather in groups -- whether in libraries, at bookstores, in shopping malls, in living rooms, in restaurants, in houses of worship, in the workplace, in cyberspace, at the supermarket – and they discuss the book. The many communities that have since launched their own One Book projects have found that reading and discussing one book brought people together and helped create a sense of community through shared reading.

In our first year of a One Book, One Springfield library project, we have selected the book The Color of Water by James McBride. Everyone who lives, works, or attends school in Springfield is invited to participate. Students, workers, parents, neighbors, and friends – everyone has the chance to read the same book (in Spanish, English, or on audiotape), attend lectures and panel discussions about the book's themes, see films related to the book, discuss their own views about what they read, and attend concerts that celebrate jazz, a major influence in the author's life. We are very fortunate that the author of this exceptional book will be joining us as well. Mr. McBride will be talking to us about his work and then he and his jazz band will perform for us.

All One Book activities are totally free! There will be many copies of the title in its many formats available to borrow in every branch of the Springfield City Library. Copies will also be available to purchase at Edwards Books (in Tower Square) at a 10% discount with your library card.

Please join us to help make One Book, One Springfield a citywide success!

Springfield City Library
http://www.springfieldlibrary.org
220 State Street
Springfield MA 01103
413-263-6828

This page last updated: May 2, 2007