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First published in Polish by Katarzyna Žák-Caplot 

The idea behind the 'One book, one community' programme is to bring the whole community together around reading and discussing one selected book over a set period. The idea is essentially to create a shared experience for a broad group of people through reading. The concept was developed by the American Library Association (ALA) in 2003, but to this day, the programme continues with success in many libraries, mainly in the United States.

"One book, one community" is neither a reading club nor a meeting over coffee with a book as a pretext. It is a fully-fledged programme with an original methodology.

To create a community-wide tailor-made read, a few key issues need to be considered:

What goals do you want to achieve?

This is a fundamental question, as its answer determines what you will do and gain in the future. Is your goal to increase readership, activate senior citizens in your community or provoke discussion on specific topics?

Also, consider how your library will benefit from it and with whom you can partner.

What is the ideal timeline?

One indeed does not exist. However, think about how to plan everything most efficiently. Experienced librarians suggest that at least six months is needed to prepare a good readership programme. After all, there's much work to do: finding a partner, notifying local authorities or supervisors, selecting the book, contacting the author/publisher/possible speakers (if you envisage such and can afford them), planning the events and their evaluation, and, last, but not least promoting it.

Don't underestimate this stage and let things take their course, as this is a big project involving the whole community and maybe even offering the chance to attract a new group of readers (for example, through interesting partnerships).

How do you select the perfect book?

You can never be sure if such one exists... There are thousands and millions of fascinating titles available. However, this is a weighty decision, as you are the brains, and the book is the heart of the project. But the answer to this question depends on the target audience, interests, and goals. Do you want to discuss social issues, such as integration, or maybe you want programme participants to learn about other cultures? The book can be chosen in consultation, for example, which in itself should engage, or at least interest, prospective programme participants.

Accessibility, form (in print, e-book, audiobook) and price of the publication, as well as the availability of translation into other languages, including Braille, are also important factors.

What about the author?

If it is a contemporary book, consider inviting the author to visit your library or talk to them online. This would undoubtedly increase the appeal of the venture. Beforehand, however, you should verify if this would involve considerable expenses and if the author enjoys public appearances.

How to plan related programming?

The easiest and most cost-effective way to do this is to prepare a reading and discussion guide with comments, references to other works, a biography of the author, reviews, and interesting facts. Such material is also a great place to thank possible partners and sponsors. It can also encourage those not planning to participate to read the book.

The key to success is an engaging programme. Contact the groups you want to work with and ask about their opinions; an online questionnaire, a vote in the reading room, anything will work. Discussion sessions, community debates, lectures and meetings or interviews with authors (if they are not physically available at the time) work best. You can also collect questions for the author from readers, ask them to prepare short sentences related to the publication (book in one sentence) and present them to the writer. Arts workshops, psychology and outdoor workshops, happenings, flash mobs and reading marathons will also work well.

How do you encourage people to read?

Will you suddenly make everyone start reading? Probably not. Choose the right target groups and address your promotional campaign to them. They will decide to join in on its basis. If you can send a press release to the local media, don't hesitate to do so. They will not attend and write about the event if they don't know what you are doing.

A community-wide reading programme is a great pastime, an excellent method for community bonding, fantastic intergenerational activity, and also a form of informal education. It can be whatever you want it to be and whatever your library needs it to be. To learn more, read the ALA guide on which this text is based:

https://www.ala.org/tools/sites/ala.org.tools/files/content/onebook/fil…

Katarzyna Žák-Caplot – Library manager and coordinator of Erasmus+ projects at the Museum of Warsaw. Lecturer of Polish and Czech as foreign languages. Author of linguistic library and museum projects in which she combines language, library and museum education methods. She has been a winner of the European Language Label several times. Chair of the Library Section of Museums, Galleries and Cultural Institutions at the Main Board of the Polish Librarians Association. The year 2019 librarian of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship and winner of the 3rd place in the National Librarian of the Year 2019 Competition. She speaks Polish, Czech, French, English and Serbian. EPALE Ambassador.