Brewster Launches Inaugural Books & Big Ideas Community Reading Initiative
The Town of Brewster is excited to announce the launch of a new all-ages community reading initiative, Books & Big Ideas, which aims to encourage discussion about important topics impacting our community. Starting in April, community members are invited to read titles from a curated selection of books about housing, the theme for this inaugural year. These stories intend to provide different perspectives on housing, including the importance of “home”, housing insecurity, seasonal housing, affordable housing, and more.
Similar to the One Book, One Town program, Brewster’s Books & Big Ideas was inspired by a program developed in Kittery, Maine several years ago. “I am thrilled to introduce this new initiative to our residents,” said Peter Lombardi, Brewster Town Manager. “We want to encourage our community to think about complicated policy issues in ways that are authentic and meaningful to them, and we hope the Books and Big Ideas program succeeds in fostering awareness and promoting dialogue.”
The following books, organized by intended audience, are available at the Brewster Ladies’ Library for community members interested in participating in this year’s program:
Adult titles
- Arbitrary Lines: How Zoning Broke the American City and How to Fix It by M. Nolan Gray
- Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond
- The Big House: A Century in the Life of an American Home by George Howe Colt
Young Adult
- Gather by Kenneth M. Cadow
Middle Grade
- Shelter by Christie Matheson
Picture Books
- Home by Tanya Lippert
- When You Are Brave by Pat Z. Miller
More information about these selections can be found here.
Books & Big Ideas will include a series of engaging events from April through June 2024 to facilitate the sharing of ideas. Residents are invited to attend and participate in the following community activities at the Brewster Ladies’ Library:
- Books and Big Ideas Kick-off & Brewster Housing 101 Information Session – Thursday April 11 at 6PM
- Author Discussion with Arbitrary Line’s M. Nolan Gray – Thursday May 2 at 5:30PM via Zoom
- Tiny Art Workshops: “What is Home?”
- Kids – Wednesday April 24 at 3PM
- Adults – Thursday May 9 at 5:30PM
- Teens – Saturday May 25 at 2PM
- Evicted Discussion Group led by Brewster Housing Coordinator Jill Scalise & Library Assistant Director Devon Evans – Tuesday June 11 at 5:30PM
- Closing Reception & Discussion with The Big House’s George Howe Colt – Thursday June 27 at 5:30PM
Check out www.brewsterladieslibrary.org to sign up or for details about these events.
“The Brewster Ladies’ Library is proud to be able to offer such a valuable initiative that instills the same sense of community through reading as our previous One Book, One Town program, while also encouraging understanding and discussion about the complicated, yet essential local issue of housing,” said Brittany Taylor, the Brewster Ladies’ Library Director. "The selected books, combined with the thoughtful events, will add more nuance and depth to the topic and will allow Brewster community members to engage with each other in a meaningful way."
The Brewster Elementary Schools are also partners in this program. The Stony Brook Elementary School and Eddy Elementary School will host Pat Z. Miller, author of When You Are Brave and many other popular children’s books, on Tuesday April 23. Miller’s visit will include sessions about her books and the writing process during the school day with kids in grades PK-5. Miller will then give presentations to families at 5:15, 5:45, and 6:15PM that evening as part of the Stony Brook Elementary School’s Literacy Night. Stony Brook Principal, Keith Gauley noted, “We are very grateful to the Brewster Ladies’ Library and the Brewster PTO for securing funding that will make Pat's visit to Brewster possible.” Michelle Benoit, the Youth Services Librarian at the Brewster Ladies’ Library, will also be facilitating a book discussion on Christie Matheson's Shelter at the Eddy Elementary School in May. In addition, students at the Eddy will participate in the Tiny Art program as part of their art class this spring.