Library Builds Community with One Book, One Town in One Month of Programming

With a series of events that began at the beginning of March, Westwood Public Library has launched its "One Book, One Town" programming, in which the library seeks to build community spirit and unite readers through a shared, townwide experience. At a time that some describe an epidemic of loneliness, "One Book, One Town" is one way the library is seeking to connect members of the community through intergenerational opportunities to engage, says Westwood Public Library Director, Lizzy McGovern. Combatting the epidemic of loneliness is a goal that is actually integrated into the library’s strategic plan, she says.

Of the book title selected for the shared community read, Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng, Ms. McGovern notes that the themes are expected to be of interest to Westwood residents. "It’s beautifully written and touches on timely issues of belonging, parenthood . . . a family falling apart, she says. Readers will leave the book with no easy answers but with questions about why they reacted as they did to characters in the book, which may reveal something about the readers, themselves, she says.

Funded with help of the 21st Century Fund and Friends of the Library, "One Book, One Town" activities this month are related to Ms. Ng’s book. The first to launch is Westwood Public Library’s month-long exhibit of artwork by film students of Maura Jereb, teacher and Director of Visual Arts at Westwood Public Schools. The main character in Ms. Ng’s book, Mia, is a photographer who uses mixed media over her pictures, and the gallery of artwork by the high school students will be a similar type of display.

On Monday, March 3rd, the main library hosted a community discussion between local book clubs with Massachusetts artist Rebecca McGee Tuck, on the topic of how art can be transformative.

Photo courtesy of Westwood Public Library. On Monday, March 3rd, the Westwood Public Library hosted a discussion of the transformative power of art, as part of its One Book, One Town programmg. Massachusetts artist Rebecca McGee Tuck led the discussion.

Coming up, readers of Little Fires Everywhere are invited to come to the main library for a discussion of the book, while a similar discussion was held on March 4th at the Islington Branch. Additionally, on Saturday, March 15th, the library will host a screening of the documentary, Shaker Heights: The Struggle for Integration, which tells the story of education inequity between races in the town where Little Fires Everywhere takes place.

Also, Westwood Public Library Reader Services Librarian Julia Horowitz, who is herself a writer, is coordinating a writing competition for those aged 14 years of age and older. Participants are invited to submit their writing on their choice of a few given topics, and to demonstrate their skills in any genre – poetry, short story, non-fiction, or essay are all accepted, says Ms. McGovern.

Finally, as the highlight of the "One Book, One Town" programming, the author of Little Fires Everywhere will make an appearance at Pine Hill School where Director of Reader Services Kristy Pasquariello will interview Ms. Ng. The event seats 130 people and was already full when Westwood Minute interviewed Ms. McGovern two days after the library began accepting reservations.

This is not the first time Westwood has held a "One Book, One Town" type of program, but the program has been a long time in returning, according to Ms. McGovern, who recalls it last came to town about 15 to 20 years ago. This year’s program was almost a year in the planning. It's an opportunity to encourage community members to engage and for the library to reach out to those who may not normally frequent the library, she says.

“Even if people don’t go to an [event] experience, they can go to the grocery store and strike up a conversation and have a connection,” says Ms. McGovern, of the shared reading experience. “In these times, I want people to consider the library as a resource in all different ways,” she says. “We try to have something for everybody that will make a difference in everyday life.”

Be part of an informed community. Subscribe to Westwood Minute!

You may also enjoy:

- "Little Fires Everywhere" Community Book Discussion (Calendar event)

- Documentary Screening: Shaker Heights: The Struggle for Integration (Calendar event)

- Westwood Names Beth Swinning as its Second Poet Laureate

- Centenarian Eddie Germano is Boston Post Cane Recipient and Westwood's Oldest Resident (Updated)