BRINGING SIOUXLAND TOGETHER AROUND ONE GREAT BOOK

HISTORY OF THE PROJECT

Community-Wide Reading Programs began, essentially, in 1998 with an idea called, “If All of Seattle Read One Book.” Since then, Seattle’s, Chicago’s and similar programs have grown into an exciting and effective way to promote literacy and to foster community interactions. Today, numerous states and over 260 cities have embraced the idea of bringing citizens together through a shared reading experience.

ONE BOOK ONE SIOUXLAND

"Siouxland" is the geographic area where Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota meet. The planning committee named the tri-state area’s reading program “One Book One Siouxland,” in order to reflect the sense of a regional connectedness that will be generated by this shared experience of reading and discussing the same novel, the same universal human issues and values, and, ultimately, of viewing the film adaptation of that novel.

One Book One Siouxland received grants from the Friends of the Sioux City Public Library, Humanities Iowa, and the Siouxland Community Foundation for the 2006 project. The 2007 project was part of The Big Read,
an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest. A big thank-you to these organizations for their support. The One Book One Siouxland planning committee also wishes to thank Nanette Alleman of the Chicago Public Library for her generosity, advice, and expertise in helping us to plan the inaugural project.

Read what people said about the 2006 One Book One Siouxland celebration.

THE INAUGURAL NOVEL

The premier novel for One Book One Siouxland was Harper Lee’s 1961 Pulitzer Prize-winner, To Kill a Mockingbird. This modern classic was chosen because it presents innumerable issues and ideas for personal reflection and group discussion.

THE PLANNING COMMITTEE

Sioux City (Iowa) Public Library

Kathy Kelly, Graphics & Communications Specialist

Betsy Thompson, Director

Margaret Trysla, Volunteer

Marlene VanderWeil, Volunteer

Karleen Waller, Volunteer

South Sioux City (Nebraska) Public Library

Kathy Jacobs, Director

Orpheum Theatre, Sioux City, Iowa

Margot Chesebro, Volunteer

Mary Jo Hoffman, Volunteer

Gary Lipshutz, Volunteer

Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Sioux City, Iowa

Elisha Karr, Community Relations Manager

Morningside College, Sioux City, Iowa

Cathee Phillips, Public Relations Director