WILLIAMSBURG — Williamsburg Regional Library (WRL) and William & Mary (W&M) Libraries are once again partnering for the “One Book One Community” initiative, which brings the community together for a shared reading experience.
One Book One Community is a collaborative community reading project hosted by WRL and W&M Libraries, with additional funding from Friends of the Williamsburg Regional Library Foundation.
This year’s book selection is author Eric Klinenberg’s “Palaces for the People,” which examines how places where people meet such as schools, libraries and playgrounds create social bonds that strengthen communities.
This year’s One Book One Community events will include lectures, group discussions, a panel and other activities and events related to the book theme, culminating in a visit by Klinenberg on Feb. 24.
“Eric Klinenberg offers readers a vision of how to move beyond the current climate of divisiveness and social isolation by embracing the importance of shared public spaces,” Betsy Fowler, WRL director said. “This year’s One Book One Community events will help our community explore the critical role social infrastructure plays in our everyday lives.”
The event series kicks off on Feb. 2 with a panel of special guests, moderated by WHRO radio host Barbara Hamm Lee, as they “discuss ways people with opposing views can maintain civil dialogue while fully participating in a democratic society.”
Other events in the series include a talk about community gardening led by the Williamsburg Community Growers, along with several book discussions about “Palaces for the People.”
Klinenberg will give the keynote presentation at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 24 at the Williamsburg Library, 515 Scotland St.
“A library is an excellent example of the type of public spaces that are so important to bringing people together in the way that Klinenberg describes, so what better place than a library to host community discussions on the topic,” Carrie Cooper, W&M’s dean of university libraries said. “We are honored to welcome Eric Klinenberg in February and to offer the community an opportunity to hear more about his important research.”
One Book One Community Programs:
Civil Participation in a Democratic Society (panel talk) Feb. 2, 6:30 p.m. – Williamsburg Library & online
Chapter 1 Quiet Reading Party (read and discuss), Feb. 7, 2 p.m. – Stryker Center
Bowling Tournament, Feb. 9, 5:30 p.m. – Stryker Center
Rags to Riches (documentary and discussion), Feb. 12, 10:30 a.m. – Williamsburg Library
Chapter 2 Quiet Reading Party (read and discuss), Feb. 15, 3 p.m. – Swem Library
Turning Pages Book Group, Feb. 15, 6:45 p.m. – Williamsburg Library and online
Fake or Fact? Spotting Fake News, Feb. 17, 2 p.m. – Stryker Center
Designing for Public Spaces, Feb. 17, 6:30 p.m. – Stryker Center
Public Book Discussion, Feb. 19, 2 p.m. – James City County Library and online
Community Gardening (talk), Feb. 22, 10 a.m. – James City County Library
Aging and Community (presentation), Feb. 22, 2 p.m. – Stryker Center
Novel Ideas Book Group, Feb. 23, 2 p.m. – James City County Library and online
For more information about One Book One Community programs, visit here.
