Reading is by its nature a solo endeavor. It’s just you and book – either in your hands or through your AirPods.
But for many years, Cincinnati had a way to make reading more community oriented.
On the Same Page was a community-wide reading program designed to get the entire city reading and discussing the same book at the same time. The program faded over time more than a decade ago, but we think it’s poised to make a comeback.
Started through the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library more, the public was invited to read the same book – including “The Hunger Games,” “A Star for Mrs. Blake,” and “The Joy Luck Club.”
As one of the busiest libraries in the country, and with 41 branches in local communities, the Public Library has the strength and the reach to support a regional book club. Add in the Northern Kentucky libraries and you have a book-centered passion that crosses bridges.
A great novel reminds us of the joy of reading and offers a way to create empathy, spark conversation, and develop a sense of community for the readers sharing the story. A book – either analog or digital – is a simple way to bring people together.
On the Same Page is more than a feel-good project. It has potential beyond curling up with a good book!
Encourage Literacy
Look no further than Dolly Parton and her Imagination Library to see the impact reading has on creating an informed and engaged community. Research from the Imagination Library indicates that children in the program were “significantly more likely to engage in meaningful reading interactions.” The children – and their families – aren’t only reading stories, they are talking to each other about them.
Spark Conversation
It’s as simple as seeing someone holding the same book you’re reading. You know at least one thing you say to them while in line for coffee or on the bus. On the Same Page can create a simple, and completely unproblematic, topic to discuss with your neighbors, coworkers, and friends.
Beyond informal chats, schools, retirement homes, and coffee shops could host discussions during the reading period. The attendees would already have at least one thing in common, and likely even more once they started talking.
Create Common Ground
Remember in high school when everyone in your class had to read the same book?
Whether you loved or hated “A Tale of Two Cities” you knew everyone was going through the same thing. Suddenly discussing the fate of Sydney Carton was a topic of lunchroom conversation. From jock to nerd, people had feelings about Madame Defarge.
As we have gotten increasingly disconnected – often by being TOO connected to our technology – reading the same book, following the same story, and caring about the same characters can put us back in touch with each other.
Novels have always helped us learn about ourselves and given us a glimpse into the experiences of others.
Our Big Idea is to revive On the Same Page Cincinnati in 2027, creating a region-wide book club offering us all a reason to read more, talk more, and learn more about ourselves and our community.
– Tricia Suit
