Get Involved!

2009 is the year to get involved in Santa Monica’s Citywide Reads! Become a volunteer book discussion group facilitator.

Prospective discussion facilitators read the book selected for the program, and attend a two-hour training session February 5th or 7th. This year’s selected title is The Shadow Catcher by Marianne Wiggins. Trained volunteers commit to leading at least one hour-and-a-half book discussion group, scheduled at various venues in Santa Monica from March 7th through April 4th. For Information call the Library (310) 458-8646 or visit the Santa Monica Citywide Reads website www.smpl.org/cwr

Did You Know?

…About Book Clubs

- Benjamin Franklin led a book group in Philadelphia in the 1770s and book clubs flourished in nineteenth-century America.

- Nancy Pearl, executive director of the WA Center for the Book from 1993 to 2004, initiated the “One Book” movement in 1998. She’s also the model for the first Librarian Action Figure!*

- Only 6% of Americans say they participate in book discussion groups where difficult ideas are exchanged (Gallup Poll, Sept. 1999)

(*http://www.mcphee.com/laf/)

Mark Your Calendars : March 7 - April 4

The dates for Citywide Reads 2009 are set! Free book discussions and special events are being scheduled for March 7 to April 4.