MLA-Phil

MLA-Phil supports One Book, One Philadelphia.

The 2008 book is Dave Eggers’ What is the What. The novel tells the story of Valentino Achek Deng who witnessed the atrocities of civil warfare in Sudan and became one of the so-called Lost Boys. His journey as one of more than 20,000 uprooted and orphaned children in Sudan and to his new home in the United States has been called by the New York Times “an extraordinary work of witness, and of art.”

The goal of One Book, One Philadelphia is to promote reading, literacy and libraries, and to encourage the entire greater Philadelphia area to come together through reading and discussing a single book. This year’s selection and region-wide programming will relate to east African culture and history, including that of the current conflict in Darfur, and to issues of violence both abroad and within our own city.

Be a Community Partner
There are many ways that your library can participate as a One Book Community Partner. The simplest way is to display and distribute cost-free One Book materials to your clients and constituents. The Free Library of Philadelphia will produce attractive and engaging promotional materials, including posters, bookmarks, resource guides, and event calendars. In recognition of your participation, your organization will be listed as a Community Partner on the FLP website and in promotional literature, including resource guides and event calendars.

If you would like to have your library participate in One Book, One Philadelphia by displaying materials, promoting book discussions and/or presenting an activity, exhibit or event during the program period (January 8 - March 15, 2008)–or for more information–please contact rebecca.pernell@jefferson.edu.