UCSB Reads

The University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) is the largest, public, four year university where I live. I've recently learned about the UCSB Reads program and that it is celebrating its sixth annual winter quarter event this year. 

According to the UCSB Reads website:

UCSB Reads is an exciting, award-winning library initiative that has developed into a collaborative campus and community effort to encourage everyone to read the featured book and then participate in related discussions and activities on campus and in the community. It's a wonderful way to engage readers and learners and to connect all of us in discussions of timely and important issues. With your help, we will continue to contribute to the understanding of the world around us.

The UCSB Office of Public Affairs made a press release in December 2011 announcing that the 2012 UCSB Reads book selection will be Moby-Duck by Donovan Hohn. According to the press release made by the UCSB Office of Public Affairs: 

Beginning at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 12, the UCSB Library will distribute 2,500 free copies of the book to registered UCSB students. The book will also be available at the UCSB Bookstore. The Antioch University Library, the Luria Library at Santa Barbara City College, the Westmont College Library, and local high schools are partners in the program, and the book is also a Santa Barbara Public Library System "Read" selection for this winter. Extra copies will be available for loan throughout Santa Barbara County, including a downloadable electronic version.

A variety of free campus and community events and discussions about the book will take place throughout winter quarter in public libraries and at UCSB. Among these are a series of Community Conversations, which will feature UCSB faculty members, as well as faculty from other campuses, discussing topics related to the book and to the 2012 theme. In addition, a presentation by the author is scheduled for Monday, March 5, in Campbell Hall.

For more detailed information about the UCSB Reads program please click on the following link: http://guides.library.ucsb.edu/UCSBReads

What community book events do you have in your community?