by Christina Stoll, MLS and contributing library staff

The Big Read, a 1 Book 1 Community reading program for 10 public libraries within the Metropolitan Library System is a rich example of the power of collaboration and bringing creatively and resourcefulness together. 

Laura Birmingham, Assistant Director at Indian Prairie Public Library (http://www.indianprairielibrary.org) serves as Chairperson of the Big Read and wrote the original concept by applying for an LSTA grant in 2004 around the idea of a shared reading program for adults of the public libraries in her library’s surrounding communities.  Starting with $27,650 in grant money, 10 libraries have since joined this fully supported program as it enters its 6th year.    

The public libraries currently involved in the Big Read include: Clarendon Hills, Downers Grove, Hinsdale, Indian Prairie, La Grange Park, LaGrange, Lisle, Thomas Ford, Westmont and Woodridge.

The book for each year has been as follows:
Year 1 – Devil in the white city by Eric Larson
Year 2 – Seabiscuit by Laura Hillen
Year 3 – The March by E.L. Doctorow
Year 4 – Dream when you’re feeling blue by Elizabeth Berg
Year 5 – Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver
Year 6 – The Help by Kathryn Stockett

In addition to bringing communities together to read one book, the Big Read program serves a larger purpose of getting people together to talk about the various topics and issues that each book represents. The program also provides an opportunity not only for the libraries and their communities to partner, but other partnerships have formed from working with a local movie theatre, restaurant, and bookstores within the participating communities to host movies and discussions, book signings or discounts.

The topics relating around each book and the potential for activities and programming that can result is a key element when selecting the book each year.  Planning for each year’s program starts shortly after that year’s program has ended and the committee of a whole comes together over the summer.  The committee is represented by 1 or 2 staff members from each of the 10 libraries.  There are smaller working committees such as programming and book selection, and the work itself is divided up by all of the libraries, with each contributing to the work, costs and resources.

The committee of a whole starts by creating a suggested reading list which the book selection committee then has the daunting task of reading.  The book selection committee provides recommendations, reviews, and available formats for each title back to the committee of the whole to use when making the final selection which takes place in late summer.  

Once the book title is selected, the next phase is lead by the programming committee around identifying topics within the book and what kinds of programs and activities could be planned.  They identify speakers and typically each library hosts as many of the program as they can, coordinating the scheduling of events so they don't conflict with each other.

The Big Read has opened up the library to different audiences and promoted reading in a positive way. The programming activities often highlight the music or movies related to the era of the book. 

“One of the unique aspects of our project is the programming,” comments programming committee member Melody Danley, Graphics and Display Coordinator  at Downers Grove Public Library, “Our committee looks for programs that have to do with the book and its time period-it may encompass historical events, music, art, important persons, travel, hobbies, cooking, and feature films and documentaries. We also have book discussions for all the libraries.”

The book title is announced in early January with that year’s brochure available in February and related events taking place throughout March and April.  Each library hosts a book discussion, shows movies, and other related actives.  An event with the author if available is planned for the grand finale.

Pilar Shaker, Reference Librarian at Hinsdale Public Library (http://www.hinsdalelibrary.info) has represented her library on the project for the last two years.  She points to the Big Read’s unique pull based on “patrons are drawn to programs that address a common theme or that encourage community growth as many of our Big Read programs do. Patrons seem to really enjoy the opportunity to interact with other libraries in the larger suburban community and look forward to The Big Read all year.”

Bridget Bittman, Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator for La Grange Public Library and Big Read committee member also points to the program’s draw to patron through “their enjoyment of reading one book as a community and then attending programs, movies and other events like book discussions, which build a  sense of community. The programs bring patrons into many different libraries that they normally wouldn't have visited“.

Kay Kohut, Program Coordinator, and Brenda O'Brien, Reference Librarian, at the Woodridge Public Library, (http://woodridgelibrary.org) are both involved in the Big Read program. Both of them participate in the book selection. Kay sits on the programming committee and Brenda assists with choosing the book discussion questions. Brenda also leads the book discussion at the Woodridge Library.

Kay says her library’s community has been very responsive to the Big Read program. “Attendance at the programs has been very good. I think the best part of the Big Read is the fact that people realize that they can attend any program at any of the participating libraries; they are not restricted to only the programs at their home library. This increases their awareness of the way our libraries work, sharing material through interlibrary loan and learning that they can, in fact, utilize other libraries in the system.”

Carol Kania, Publicity and Program Coordinator at Downers Grove Public Library talks about her community’s involvement in the program, “There are patrons who make a point to participate year. And, every year, there are patrons who have never participated who join in because the book captures their attention.  Because we offer so many “points of entry” into the event, we often attract patrons who would normally not sign up for a program or book discussion, or who might not otherwise venture out from the type of book they normally read”.

The libraries involved maintained the projects funding by sharing the costs and the work. Friends groups from some of the libraries help, library directors support their staff’s time on the project, Inter-Library loan is used as well as the programming for the project often becomes the main programming for those months at these libraries.

Thomas Ford managers the program’s web site (http://thebigread.org), banners are hung at each of the libraries and Indian Prairie supplies hard plastic poster boards which their Marketing Manager Cris Cigler develops posters for showcasing the major events.  The program has adapted over time in that they are using Twitter and Facebook for the first time this year.

Staff members from Downers Grove Public Library (http://www.downersgrovelibrary.org) Melody Danley and Carol Kania are very active with the program, sitting on the varies committees and Melody contributing her creativity to the original Big Read logo and the design for the resource guide each year.

Rhonda Snelson, Public Relations and Adult Programs at Lisle Library District (http://www.lislelibrary.org) represents her library on the committee by aiding in the final book selection and program development. She oversees the publicity of the Big Read program at her library, which includes material distribution, a display case and newsletter articles.  For Rhonda the program “allows the programmers from the libraries involved to really get to know one another and to share their successes and failures. The opportunity to benefit from the expertise of the other program professionals is really valuable to each individual library.”

La Grange Public Library (http://www.lagrangelibrary.org) and La Grange Park Public Library (http://www.lplibrary.org) are the two newest libraries to join the efforts of the Big Read.

In addition to Bridget Bittman’s work on the programming committee, Debbie Darwine, Head of Reference and Reader Advisory at La Grange also served on the Book Selection Committee in 2009 and 2010.

Bridget brought a wiki to the program committee last year to provide more effective communication between committee members. “With 36 programs in place for 2010, the information on the wiki was instrumental in coordinating information about each presenter, a description, program costs and which library was interested in hosting the program," said Bridget. 

Kate Zdenek, Adult Service Director and Daina Aukstuolis, Reference Librarian at La Grange Park Public Library (http://www.lplibrary.org), which joined the program 3 years ago, represent their library on the project.  Kate points to the “wide variety of opportunities the libraries provide for patrons to participate” as one of the reason for the Big Read’s success. 

Kathy Strange, Reference Library and Lucy Tarabour, Adult Programming Coordinator at Clarendon Hills Public Library (http://www.clarendonhills.us) have served on the book selection and programming committees.  They both contributed many hours to reading “finalist” book selections and researching potential programming events and activities and then the challenge of scheduling these among 10 libraries.

Cindy Kline, Adult Programmer and Debbie Wordinger, Head of Adult Services at Indian Prairie Public Library have also been long-standing committee members contributing to the project since its start. Cindy continues to be amazed "by how the interest has grown among the community.  Attendees at library programs, even ones not tied to the Big Read are always asking her when the next book is going to be announced". Debbie who lives in a neighboring town also gets positive reaction from her fellow residents when they hear she's part of the program.

When asked what she felt made the Big Read program so successful, Laura Birmingham from Indian Prairie as the original developer of the project now 6 years in the making commented “collaboration between the ten libraries wouldn't be as success if one library did it on their own.  The expertise and creativity of the members of the committee gives it the professionalism that it has.  The participating communities also make it successful through the buzz they create asking what the next book is going to be.”

Questions about this article can be sent to Christina Stoll stollc@mls.lib.il.us.

Published March 3, 2010 in vol. 4, iss. 5 [View]