LIBRARY HAPPENINGS

CONCORD - The Concord Reads Committee and the Concord Public Library completed another successful "One Book, One Community" series of events this fall focusing on Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich.

Our programs this year included a book discussion led by educators Jennifer Leff and Bob Cowan, a program with Janny Scott and David Cay Johnston talking about their work on the New York Times 2005 series of articles "Class Matters," a panel discussion on local issues with Gary Hirshberg of Stoneyfield Farm, Rosemary Heard of CATCH and Maureen Beauregard of Families in Transition, and a visit by Barbara Ehrenreich.

Over 440 people attended the four programs, including over 250 who came to hear Barbara Ehrenreich speak at the Capitol Center for the Arts. Library copies of the book were checked out over 550 times this year. The committee received lots of very positive comments, with many saying Nickel and Dimed should be required reading for all high school students. Copies of the book will be donated to the State Library for the Book Bag Program.

-submitted by Virginia Babczak
Concord Public Library