READING CITIES

The original idea behind reading cities came from a public librarian in Seattle, USA. In 1998 Nancy Pearl saw her vision come to fruit with If All Seattle Read the Same Book. The success of this initiative quickly led to many other cities and states adopting the idea under the generic title: One Book, One …

One Book, One Chicago was launched in 2001 with Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. The final report on that project can be read on the Chicago Public Library website. It contains useful background information and tips on how to organise such a project.

The success of these early examples of one-book city reading projects is demonstrated in the high profile publicity for books, reading and libraries. The first city in the UK to take up the idea was Bristol in 2003. They chose Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, a book which has associations with the city’s docks. It has now become an annual event – The Great Reading Adventure. In 2004 the book was John Wyndham’s The Day of the Triffids and in 2005 The Siege by Helen Dunmore (an author who lives in Bristol). The Bristol Reads website has details of the latest adventure including the author, the book and events. There are also links to the programmes for the earlier years.

Examples of other cities involved in One Book projects are Oxford (Brideshead Revisited), Brighton (Alice in Wonderland), and Nottingham (Lady Chatterly’s Lover) – all books with a local connection. (All part of Penguin 7 Books, 7 Cities.) Liverpool Reads took place in 2004 and 2005 (Millions by Frank Cottrell Boyce).

Planning a City Reading Project

One book city reading projects can be an exciting way to engage a lot of people in reading but they require a great deal of work in planning and organisation. Here are some of things to think about before embarking on such a large scale initiative:

Partnership

It will be difficult for a single organisation to be successful on its own. The best examples have the support of many partners. These could include: libraries, bookshops, local and national media, publishers, schools, cinemas. It is worthwhile testing the idea with a few key people before going too far. Penguin 7 Books, 7 Cities is a celebration by Penguin of 70 years in publishing where they provide books, promotional materials and help with author visits.

City officials (such as a mayor) can be critical to the success of such a large scale project. Educational institutions are also very important (the level you aim at will depend on the book).

Think too about business partners, especially if they can help financially!

Choosing a book/author

Many cities have started with books that have a local connection or local resonance. This is not essential but a well-known author or title can help to encourage wide participation. If the book is by a living author there is the possibility that you will be able to arrange author events as part of your programme. Some places have chosen a book which has an appeal to both adults and children – a real benefit if you can manage it!

Above all, the book should be interesting and likely to stimulate discussion. A book that connects to contemporary issues can provoke lively debate.

If the book has been adapted for cinema or television it might be possible to arrange a screening of this as part of the programme. For example Liverpool Reads Millions is also available as a film.

Supplying the books

Readers need to be able to read the book and this means that they need to borrow it, buy it, or be given a free copy to keep. Libraries will need to be prepared to buy many multiple copies of the title; bookshops need to increase their stocks (not a problem if the sales go up, but they do need to be alerted to the situation if they are not already in the partnership); some cities have persuaded publishers to supply copies free or at significantly discounted prices (purchased with sponsorship money) to give to city residents. A publisher may help with book supply for example Penguin with their 7 Books, 7 Cities and Longman with Liverpool Reads.

Whatever means you use to get the books to readers you need to allow enough time for the books to get to people and for people to read the book before events take place.

Events

These will depend on the title chosen and can range from reading groups to author talks and film screenings. If it is a book suitable for children there is great potential to involve schools in organising and hosting events for children and/or parents. The range and scale of events will depend on your ambition and your budget!

Resources for readers

A website, such as that used by Bristol, is a great way to make any resources available to many people. However, you might also want to use print materials as well.

A basic guide to the author and the story is essential. The historical or cultural context can help in the enjoyment and appreciation of the book. Ideas for discussion topics can help stimulate debate. Look at examples from other cities and at general resources for reading groups and reader centred activities.

If the book can be used in schools you should think about a toolkit of ideas for teachers.

Publicity

Publicity is always important but in this type of project it is crucial. Getting media support at an early stage is vital – if city newspapers, radio or television can be engaged as partners this will help.

Giving the campaign a distinctive brand will help people to identify with it over a period of time – a catchy title and smart graphics always helps.

Remember that you need to pace the publicity. Slow burn for a number of months, followed by fireworks!