2/7/2005
Media Contact:
Jo Lynn Garing, 327.3690
Paul Whitmore, 262.8080 |
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"One Book, One City - Indy's Choice" nears another successful end in 2005
Final programming coincides with Black History Month
INDIANAPOLIS - The City of Indianapolis and the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library are getting ready to close the book on another successful year of the popular reading program, "One Book, One City - Indy's Choice." This year, Indianapolis residents read The Bondwoman's Narrative, a recently discovered handwritten manuscript believed to be the only known novel by a female African American slave.
In conjunction with the start of Black History Month, programming and book discussions will continue through the month of February, including Conner Prairie's "Follow the North Star" at Glendale Branch Library on February 25th. It is an interactive program that helps participants learn what it means to risk everything for freedom.
"Vibrant communities are ones that engage in discussions, read, and pursue knowledge," said Mayor Bart Peterson. "The 'One Book, One City' program is a great example of what brings vitality and life to our city."
The Library hosted book discussions throughout the month of January, attracting more than 240 participants. Community partners also offered unique experiences for Indy families and readers, including a preview of the Indianapolis Repertory Theater's program on Sojourner Truth.
"We're very pleased with the participation we've seen in this year's 'One Book, One City' program and we encourage those with a thirst for knowledge and discussion to engage in the remaining programming," said Linda Mielke, Library CEO. "And of course, we look forward to making next year's 'One Book, One City" program even better and more attractive to Indianapolis readers."
Many Indianapolis churches and businesses continue to lead informal book discussions, in addition to remaining library and partner programming through February. An official program listing is available at http://onebook.imcpl.org.
Based on the continued level of interest in the program, the City and the Library already are planning the theme for next year's program. An estimated 2,500 copies of The Bondwoman's Narrative have been sold through the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library, and readers checked out nearly 1,700 circulating copies of the book since its selection in December.
The third year of the citywide reading initiative started in early October when the library asked Indianapolis residents to submit their nominations and book reviews for selections representing "The Spirit of America - Its Finest Hours and Its Darkest Hours." For the first time, the program narrowed the finalists to two, one representing the finest hours and one representing the darkest hours, and then asked the public to vote for the winner.
"One Book, One City - Indy's Choice," a collaboration between the City of Indianapolis and the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library, was created to unite the community around reading and discussing one book. The program is made possible in part through the support of the Netherleigh Fund.
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