Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Contact: Lindsay Eagle 703-228-6328 (voice) 703-228-4611(TTY)
Arlington Public Library Launches Arlington Reads
Community-wide reading initiative for people of all ages
In these barbaric times what could be a more civilized adventure than for one city’s people to come together to read one book at the same time? A journey on which the travelers bring cultural baggage—background, experience, even language: an adventure of opinion, critical assessment, perhaps even enjoyment! What awaits them at the end? If they have discovered nothing new about literature as a mirror to life, they may by their shared experience have learned new things about themselves and about each other, discoveries that can make for lasting good will.
–- Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird
ARLINGTON, Va.— Arlington Public Libraries kicked off Arlington Reads -- a community-wide reading initiative for people of all ages, with book giveaways and other prizes -- at the Arlington County Fair
One book, one community
Arlington Reads aims to build community and the love of reading by encouraging all of Arlington to read the same book, and come together to discuss and share the book at a variety of special events, including author talks, social gatherings, and book discussions facilitated by citizens, community leaders, and public officials.
Arlington Public Libraries takes the familiar concept of a community-wide reading program two steps further by including books for teens and youth, and by incorporating a multicultural theme in its selections.
"We want everyone in the community to participate, so we're taking the show on the road. We're starting with coffee shops and senior centers, but if people want book talks at the 7-11 or the grocery store, we'll do it," says Diane Kresh, the new Director of Arlington Public Libraries. "You know the old saying about teaching a man to fish? We don't want to just give people books, we want to give them a lifetime of opportunity through reading."
Something for everyone
This year's titles include Anne Tyler's Digging to America (adults), Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis (teens), and Linda Sue Park's A Single Shard (elementary).
Arlington Libraries has purchased extra copies of all three books. In addition, a number of community partners are creating book displays and selling copies of the books. Barnes & Nobel in Market Common (Clarendon) will donate 15% of the proceeds from any purchase to the Friends of the Arlington Public Library this weekend, when customers present a voucher (click here for the voucher).
Community partners
This program is sponsored in part by the Friends of Arlington Public Library, Arlington Public Schools, the Arlington Partnership for Children, Youth and Families, Arlington Virginia Network (AVN), WETA, and Barnes & Noble-Clarendon.
Arlington Reads runs through October 15, 2006. More information, including a complete schedule of events, is available at www.arlingtonva.us/library.
Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the "10 miles square" parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency's highest award for "Smart Growth" in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world - including the Pentagon - Arlington stands out as one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business.
