Residents are urged to vote for their book choice by April 30th
The City of Atlanta has embarked on a five-month campaign to encourage Atlanta residents to show their support for the importance of reading through a new city-wide initiative, Atlanta Reads: One Book, One Community. The first phase of this program kicked off April 24th. Residents have been asked to select one book to read from a ballot of six. Voting will take place at Atlanta area Borders ® and Waldenbooks ® stores, the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System and online at the Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs Website, www.bcaatlanta.com. Mayor Franklin will announce the winning book May 9th at City Hall at 10:00 AM. During the summer reading period, activities and discussions will be scheduled around the city, culminating with Atlanta Reads Week, September 5th-17th, when the winning author visits for a series of book events.
"Reading is undoubtedly a fundamental component of our society that sets the foundation for our future," said Mayor Shirley Franklin. "This program will serve as a wonderful opportunity for members of the Atlanta community to come together and show their commitment to literacy."
As part of the program’s cross-generational component 2,700 high school seniors and 500 senior citizens in the Mayor’s Golden Age Club will receive free copies of the selected book. The Atlanta Public School rising seniors and the Office of Recreation's Golden Age Club Senior Program members will meet during the reading period to hold book club style discussions at senior centers, Atlanta-Fulton Libraries and churches.
The project is overseen by a steering committee of Atlanta residents and business and community leaders co-chaired by Emory University Professor Dr. Rudolph Byrd and Susan Booth, Alliance Theatre artistic director.
“Our goal is to provide Atlantans with a perspective on their place in history and regional, national and world affairs, with a special focus on high school seniors and senior citizens,” said Byrd. “The Atlanta Reads mission is to foster dialogue around books and ideas that will build a greater appreciation of diversity and a greater understanding among Atlantans,” Byrd continued. Other Atlanta Reads Steering Committee members include Susan Booth, Valerie Boyd, Valerie Jackson, Camille Russell Love, Opal Moore, Alexis Scott and Bill Starr.
Program sponsors and partners include The Coca Cola Company, UPS, Borders, Waldenbooks, Starbucks Coffee Company and Atlanta-Fulton Public Libraries.
Contacts:
DeNatalie Phillips • 404 629-9471 • denatalie@bellsouth.net • Phillips Communications, Inc.
Jerri Sumlin • 404 817-6767 • JLSumlin@AtlantaGa.gov • City of Atlanta Department of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs
Catherine Woodling • 404 330-6763 • cwoodling@AtlantaGa.gov • Office of the Mayor