April 12, 2011
04/13/11 Friends of the Plymouth Library are sponsoring the sixth annual “One Book, One Town” on Sunday, May 1st at 2 p.m. in the Conference Room at the Marshall County Historical Society Museum, 123 North Michigan Street. One Book, One Town is a national movement to challenge communities to read the same book and discuss their responses with friends and family. This year the Friends of the Library selected the classic novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald as the focus because of parallels in the American experience between the Roaring ‘20s and today. As well, The Great Gatsby was voted the second most important book in the 20th Century by the Modern Library Association.
This year, the Friends of the Library group has collaborated with the Marshall County Museum and Encore Performing Arts to provide a variety of events exploring the era and experiences related to the book. Since December, the group has promoted a downtown 1920’s scavenger hunt, several films, a 1920s tea party, a ragtime concert, and an interactive dance exhibition – all in celebration of The Great Gatsby reading challenge.
The impetus for One Book, One Town comes through the Library of Congress’ Center for the Book, promoting literacy by encouraging communities to read the same book and discuss ideas together. Local educator and author Anna Liechty has facilitated the discussion for the last five titles which have included classics like Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, current nonfiction like Greg Mortenson’s Three Cups of Tea, and new bestsellers like Kathryn Stockett’s The Help. The title for 2012 will be announced this fall. Any interested persons are welcome to attend the discussion at the museum.