Mansfield Reads!

Mansfield Reads! One City One Book

Mansfield Reads! One City One Book is a community-wide reading event that encourages all Mansfield residents to read the same book at the same time. The program goals are to promote awareness of the library and foster a sense of community through reading. The concept began in Seattle in 1998 and has spread across the country into many communities large and small.

The Friends of the Mansfield Public Library and library staff began exploring the idea of a one city one book program in 2003, with support from program founder Nancy Pearl at the Seattle library. The inaugural program was launched in April 2004 to celebrate the library's 75th year of service. Mansfield Reads! has been a resounding success every year since.

How Mansfield Reads! Works

In the month of October everyone in the community is encouraged to read the same book at the same time. The Friends group and the library sponsor many events, programs and activities in conjunction with reading the book. Public dialogue and discussion of the book is encouraged as a way to open conversation between all members of the community. Everyone gets to share a good book.

Please email the Friends or visit the Friends of the Library website to learn more.