What: Reading Across Rhode Island, a project of the Rhode Island Center for the Book at Providence Public Library, is the state’s community read. The book selected for the 2010 project is The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows.
Who: Librarians, teachers, book group leaders and individuals from all over the state meet monthly to plan and implement this annual signature project for the RI Center for the Book at Providence Public Library. This year, Reading Across Rhode Island is co-chaired by Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Roberts and Robin Kall of Reading with Robin, a radio talk show about books. The project is supported by Fidelity Investments, Reading with Robin, Newport Federal, RI Network for Educational Technology, Bryant University and Dial Press/Random House Publishing.
When: The project officially kicks off on January 30, 2010 with a Kick-off Conference held at Bryant University in Smithfield. The conference focuses on using the book in discussion groups and classrooms. The workshop presenters illustrate the different themes of the book, emphasizing additional resources and extension activities to bring to the reading and sharing of the book. For the next three months, community members are encouraged to read: in classrooms, libraries, bookstores and small book groups, and individually. Community groups are encouraged to post their planned events and activities on the Reading Across Rhode Island website calendar. All activities will culminate in a May Breakfast at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet on May 1, 2010.
Where: Public libraries, middle and high schools, adult education agencies, book discussion groups and senior centers all over the state participate in this project. This site is the communication tool for Reading Across Rhode Island and includes many resources, such as discussion guides, ideas for local programs and classroom activities, a calendar of local public events, and downloadable publicity materials and graphics to help individuals, organizations, and institutions organize Reading Across Rhode Island activities in their communities.
Why: To bring Rhode Islanders together through reading: one book - one state - literallyContact: Louise Moulton, Providence Public Library, 150 Empire Street, Providence RI. 02903
Ph: (401) 455-8134
Nominate a book for Reading Across RI