Over the past ten years One Book, One Community has had many sponsors and partners supporting the initiative through contributions, in-kind support, promotion, programming, and participation within their organizations and communities. Sponsors have included Allegheny County, Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Dollar Bank, Dunkin’ Donuts, Essential Public Radio, Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council, Highmark, Joseph Beth Booksellers, Panera and WYEP. Partners have included AARP, Allegheny County, Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging, Allegheny Intermediate Unit, Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Carnegie Mellon University Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, Community College of Allegheny County North Campus Library, Chatham University, Elderhostel, Essential Public Radio, Generations Together, Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council, Gumberg Library at Duquesne University, Highmark PALS (People Able to Lend Support) Program, Homeless Children’s Education Fund, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Leadership Pittsburgh Inc., League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh, Local Government Academy, The Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Mystery Lovers Bookshop, National Fatherhood Initiative, National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Western Pennsylvania Chapter, OASIS, Penn State Cooperative Extension, Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Pittsburgh Opera, Retired & Senior Volunteer Program of Allegheny County, Secret Agent L Project, Sustainable Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and community psychiatrist Dr. Kenneth Thompson. [2012 sponsors & partners in bold]
Below are words from sponsors and partners over the years.
Statements
When audience members assemble to experience an opera performance, they are simultaneously living a story told through music, witnessing value judgments of the designers and artists, and pondering how the characters solve problems. A similar level of engagement with ideas can happen while an individual reads a book, but the solitary nature of reading usually precludes a shared, concurrent experience. The One Book, One Community program provides an elegant opportunity to engage readers with others, so that multiple ideas enrich understanding and promote deeper insights. Bravo!
Marilyn Michalka Egan, Ph.D., Director of Education, Pittsburgh Opera
The members of the conversation salon are avid book readers as well as conversationalists. And as such, we often discuss books that we find particularly inspiring. Last year’s One Community’ One Book selection, “29 Gifts” by Cami Walker prompted much discussion about the value of giving of yourself to others and to the society we live in. Likewise, “This I Believe” will inspire introspection on our core beliefs and how these beliefs can both bind us together as a society or have the potential to divide us as well. In either case, “This I Believe” will help stimulate reflection and discussion of our core beliefs.
Norm Wien, ACLA Conversation Salon Volunteer
Congratulations to One Book, One Community! on ten years of bringing our region together around common reflections and inspiration. Indeed we inches ever steadily along the path to sustainability where the region’s citizenry is informed, engaged, and actively challenging old notions that hold us back. The One Book initiative continues to contribute shared community provocation of ideas and energy. Sustainable Pittsburgh sends best wishes for the next ten years of reading One Book together.
Court Gould, Executive Director, Sustainable Pittsburgh
What could be more positive for our community than promoting literacy and understanding. One Book One, Community has always been inspirational and important and has taught us to believe in ourselves, to trust others and to try something new. Looking forward to a successful 2012 experience.
Gail Weisberg, OASIS Director, retired
In March 2010, I organized a six-week English as a Second Language class around the One Book, One Community program. My ESL students and I had great discussion as we journeyed through A Walk in the Woods. The students – from Taiwan, China, and Japan – learned many new vocabulary words from Bryson’s wonderful writing. They also learned about one of our nation’s most interesting assets, The Appalachian Trail! I truly appreciated the comprehensive package the ACLA put together for the program, including the set of paperback books, the audio book, and the set of discussion questions. I am looking forward to this year’s program!
Ashley Murray, Program Coordinator, Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council
My students were thrilled that they were able to read a complete book in English and be able to understand and discuss its theme and characters as a group. Most of them expressed that this was their first time they were able to accomplish this. For the fiction books that we read, I was able to obtain the movie and they were able to watch it knowing what was happening without worrying about understanding the rapid English dialog or needing subtitles.
The Mentoring Partnership of SW PA is very proud to be a supporter of the One Book, One Community initiative. Books can spark powerful dialogue around important community issues and One Book, One Community really helps to facilitate that dialogue and harness its power.
Reading is one of the many activities enjoyed by mentors and mentees. We were honored to be a part of the work surrounding I’m Proud of You, a book with a powerful connection to mentoring. With more than 1,802 young people on waiting lists for a mentor, it was a wonderful opportunity to talk about the impact mentoring can have on another person’s life.
We were also excited for the opportunity to weigh in on the discussion surrounding last year’s featured book, 29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life, by Cami Walker. It was heartwarming to hear how many community members felt so strongly about promoting a book that would focus on the importance of how small acts of kindness can impact our community.
The Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern PA
Duquesne University has been a community partner with ACLA since 2007. Each year the One Book program has offered opportunities for participating in a unique reading experience, plus discussing and sharing life stories and meeting a living author. Based on the One Book topic for the year, the Gumberg Library has involved various academic and student life departments, including Campus Ministry, Duquesne University Volunteers, English Department, and the School of Education in campus initiatives and related outreach projects.
Through the One Book program Duquesne University has connected with the community-at-large; engaged students in reflection and writing about critical issues; established connections between the themes of the books and the university mission; and promoted meaningful recreational reading to the campus community.
Dr. Laverna Saunders, University Librarian, and Mrs. Melodie Frankovitch, Public Relations & Development Librarian, Gumberg Library at Duquesne University
Last year was the first time that the Allegheny Intermediate Unit became involved in the One Book, One Community program. Cami Walker’s book, 29 Gifts, was an appropriate choice for high school students so we asked the schools in Allegheny County to get students involved. As part of the program the AIU hosted an event where Cami Walker spoke to students from 9 different schools. Some participated in person while others viewed the presentation through videoconferencing. The students that attended were not only excited to meet the author but shared what they were doing in school and out to give to others. After such an inspiring program the AIU is excited to participate and partner with ACLA again to offer One Book, One Community to our local school districts.
Amy Cribbs, Academic Events Specialist, Allegheny Intermediate Unit
