Reading: Bridge to a Wider World - Community Responses

Community Responses:

What you told us about the project

This is the complete list of written responses the Library has received about the project and the programs. Answers may have been edited for clarity. Duplicate answers were combined.

How did you hear about the Reading: Bridge to a Wider World project?

My reading club
AAUW Book Club
Through Friends of the Duluth Public Library
Several articles in the newspaper
West Duluth Librarian
I saw signs at Barnes and Noble and at the Duluth Public Library.
Chosen by leader of book club.
Through school
I work at Barnes and Noble but I had also read an article
Media
Duluth Public Schools
School
Radio
Mt. Royal Branch Library
Participated in planning.
Arrowhead Reading Council publicity.
Via the school district.
Newspaper (I think) originally and a friend reminded me.
Colleague
Resource Guide
Through my Mom's book club at Barnes and Noble
Saw it featured at the Public Library
From my Classics Book Club at Barnes and Noble
J. W. Beecroft
It was mentioned in class
I read about it in a brochure one of my students brought me. We are reading the book in American history.
Family

What caused you to participate?

Interesting for whole city to read same book.
The desire to learn more about the book. Why it was written.
The assignment and wanted to refresh my memory of this classic.
Newspaper and world of mouth.
I love to read. Like to share thoughts.
Curiosity and our book club.
Excellent book selection.
AAUW and Green Door Book Club decided to read this book. Think it was a great city project.
In-depth discussion - good.
I love this story. My book club was interested.
Interest in the book and discussion.
Desire to participate in discussions.
Love of books.
Love to read, good excuse to re-read a great book - 20 years later. Chance to discuss it and learn more from others.
The principle of the story.
The groups meeting. I do not read novels at 57 (only Michener); maybe it is time.
The fact that the book was a wonderful novel.
Thought it would be fun to read again and share thoughts with others.
This title is the perfect one to draw a community together.
Sounded interesting - caused me to re-read the book.
Piqued my interest.
"Community read." Daughter in 8th grade just read this in class.
Interest in Harper Lee.
Wanted to re-read the book and be a part of the whole experience.
Wanted to participate in the community.
Great Story! Community project.
Friend.
Thought it would be fun to re-read and share thoughts with others.
It seemed like an interesting thing to participate in.
I've always loved this book and am curious about the historical/social/legal context.
It sounds like a good idea. I had not read the book before and would like to see the film.
I belong to the West Duluth Branch Library reading group so I just naturally wanted to attend their discussion.
Citywide read. A great idea.
Interest in literacy.
I teach this novel to 9th graders.
Interest in re-reading a classic.
I liked the idea of a "community read" and had never read To Kill a Mockingbird.
I like to read and like to discuss books after I read them.
My book club also did To Kill a Mockingbird.
I never knew anything about the lynchings.
I like the idea of a community-reading project. It is also one of my favorite books.
Loved the idea of a community reading a book and discussing it.
My Russian friend was interested because of a Human Diversity Class she is taking. She wanted me to go with her.
Interest in the racial issues and bringing a discussion of the book/movie to my workplace.
I'm interested in the history of America and Duluth and I'd like to know more about the country.
I had just started reading it.
I belong to the Classics Book Club at Barnes and Noble.
Always liked this book - read it 3 times.
Just thought it would be fun to do.
Family
Articles in the paper as to whole city reading same book.
Something to do in Duluth.
Wanted to read the book that the whole community is reading.
Read the book as a student - thought it would be fun to re-read it as an adult.
Child's interest - good book for discussion, strong characters.
This is my favorite book, and I love book discussions.
Our book club read the book and decided we wanted other people's opinons.
Love of literature.
I love to read - Felt this was an interesting project.

How were the materials in the Resource Guide helpful?

The questions made me think more about what Harper Lee had written.
Particularly in understanding the period in which the novel was set, and Harper Lee's life!
Information on the author made book so much more interesting, etc.
Helped to focus on the real significance of the book.
I enjoyed all the background information. Questions were good!
Kept us focused on the story.
The questions were great for our book club.
Good review.
Historical context information! Truman Capote connection.
Good questions that provoked thought.
The schedule of discussion events was most helpful.
In many aspects. Definitely to generate discussion topics.
Good history.
Background information and chronology. Very interesting!
Particularly the historical perspective..
I didn't know Harper Lee's background and the historical context.
The background material on the author and Scottsboro Trial parallels were interesting. Also, the historical context of the times.
Having the historical facts as well as the comparison between them and the events in the story was invaluable to be able to refer to.
My daughter used them.
Comparing real events to the book.
Helpful for leading a discussion.
Made me think more deeply about the events.
I needed the schedule of discussion events. Attended 11 so far!!!
The questions will get me started at our book club.
Gave me something to think about as I read.
It's a wonderful booklet!

How did the book affect you?

I first read the book as an 8th grader; I've read it at least once a year since, and now I teach the book at Holy Rosary.
Loved the book from the first time I read it
Thoroughly enjoyed it and felt passionate about the injustices done to blacks in America.
Awakened to social justice.
Made me think what it must have been to be a black then.
Loved the characters! Loved the story! Loved the social issues taught!
Enlightening. Makes you look at your own values.
Positive. Book filled with wisdom.
Wished I had read it in the 60s! First time this year.
It made me see how prophetic the book is.
Initial reading: thought more about race issues.
Fascinated and did not want it to end! Will read it several times.
It re-opened my eyes.
Makes me think how times haven't really changed that much.
Deeply.
It made me look at myself and how I want to be viewed.
Felt everyone should read it and this may be a better world.
Understanding of human nature.
Affected me deeply - my favorite book thus far.
A clearer understanding of not just the racial issue, but life in the times.
It's so honest about the state of race relations at that time. Funny - touching - frustrating.
It affected me emotionally. I felt anger and sadness during the book.
Made more aware of the prejudices that still exist today.
It makes you stop and think of discrimination.
Love it. It gets better with each reading.
I treasure it now. It is an amazing gift to humanity.
I couldn't put it down! I want to read more books of this quality.
I have read the book 3 times and will likely read it again.
Provided insights into life in a small southern town at the time of the great depression and showed a child's view of race relations.
Took me back to when I first read it. It is still powerful.
I cry when I re-read parts even though I've read it 100 times. I don't cry easily.
It made me realize how bad racism was.
I first loved this book in the mid-60s and still love it.
How true to themselves these characters are and accepting of others and their beliefs. i.e. Atticus.
Made me realize that things are really not too different today.
It opened my eyes.
Anger at the racism, appreciation of the fine writing and complexity of characters and importance of the subject.
I learned about events before I was born.
My views of class, race, and disabilities have all been influenced by this read.
Very strongly, it always has. The people are real to me.
I loved Scout's perception! She brought humor to this hard issue and world.
It was a good read. Reminded me of a University exchange I had made with students from Fort Valley, Ga. In 1969.
I thought more deeply about racism and classism.
One of the best books ever!!!
Saddened by our insensitivity.
Very much like the film did ~ I fell in love with it!
Sad and angry at times, but also courageous part of Atticus' character.
It just informed me how bad racism was back then.
It reinforced by belief that we are all human beings together...and need to respect that.
Made me realize that the times really haven't changed that much.
It was very eye opening.
It was amazing how it affected me so much differently than when I first read it in high school. I am much more sensitive toward racial injustices and am now a mother, so I related deeply to Atticus' common sense approach to parenting.
The book is much better than the movie in my opinion. I was deeply moved by this book.
It made me think about racism more.
Reinforced importance of tolerance to others.
I first read it in Jr. High and was made aware of prejudice/same effect this time.
Made me compare the class system of yesteryear with today
Want to be more like Atticus.
Reaffirms what I have seen, makes you look at others views.
Made me think about how we treat others.
No, I have read too many books.
Sad at times - but good with a sense of redemption at the end.
Just love all the aspects it covers
An interesting coming-of-age story for youth, as well as addressing racial and other social prejudices i.e. the character of Boo Radley
To recall the Civil Rights movement of the 60s - and the reason for it!! Also, the children's lives were so like my own. Just a great book.
It is such a brilliantly written, funny, sad book, but it is so powerful that I found it quite painful to read.
I give it a "10"
My favorite novel.
I adored it - it is amazingly well written with great subject matter.
It made me think it brought many things to mind to discuss and think about.

Why was To Kill a Mockingbird a good selection for this area-reading project?

Excellent - although more subtle (not always, though), the same prejudices persist today, and not only in the south.
Society needs a lesson; this book was an excellent lesson.
The best. A national favorite.
Quality literature.
Good moral character. Restore our faith in the goodness of men.
It discusses problems we still have today.
This book covers many levels - love, fear, hate, racism.
Universal and timeless. Truths and morality.
Very good. Especially with tense situations in so many parts of the world these times.
Because it teaches great lessons and is so heart warming.
The lynching issue but more importantly our black population is increasing rapidly.
It is suitable for all ages above 14.
It applies to discrimination and prejudice, social class.
This book means a lot to everyone I know who has read it.
A timeless book relevant to the present.
It appeals to a large audience. Makes you think and feel and react.
Yes. Book has wide appeal and provides a picture of race relations at the time.
It's easy to read and it has many messages.
We are still dealing with racism, ageism, sexism, etc. We never learn.
We are a small town and blacks are a minority.
It covers so many aspects. - love, fear, racism, respect.
Classic novel.
Increases community awareness.
It's an American classic that gets better every time I read it. The novel is great. The movie is great in black and white; that in itself makes a statement on the book.
Enjoyable read with depth.
Especially as we raise a memorial to the 3 men lynched in Duluth in 1920.
It was an easy read in terms of vocabulary and length and it is timely with regards to the upcoming Clayton, Jackson, McGhie Memorial.
Besides being a classic and a work of literary art, the ties to the lynchings in Duluth of 1920 make it - I think - mandatory reading for all of us.
It shows people what it was like back then
Northern Minnesotans are not usually exposed to the gross, racial discrimination of the South - don't know the depth of it.
It covers such a wide range of thoughts ideals; fear-love-relationships-racism.
To remind us of past injustices.
Great choice because of the many themes and the opportunities to discuss the racial issues that Duluthians must discuss.
It's a very relevant topic for today in America.
I think it makes many people think, and many people read it for the first time, which is good - it's a classic.
Excellent - superb - literature.
It is a historical novel that you can still learn from today.
Good for all ages
It covers so many emotions - love-hate-prejudice-respect-
Good book to discuss relationships at many levels and prejudices. Interesting portrayal of a single parent and sibling relationships.
Many of us are old enought now to understand the book in more depth.
It has great depth and is applicable to us all - making it great for discussion.
It gives many viewpoints about how people deal with life.
Great! It's accessible and perfectly written.
It's a really good book and has many discussion options.

10/24/05 Duluth Public Library, 520 W. Superior St., Duluth, MN 55802

10/24/05
Duluth Public Library, 520 W. Superior St., Duluth, MN 55802