About the Community Read

Libraries in the Midcoast join forces each January to present the Midcoast Community Read, an area-wide collaborative book group. Patten Free Library, Curtis Memorial Library, Topsham Public Library and Wiscasset Public Library encourage their patrons to read the same selected title over the winter and then come together in March for discussions, presentations and related activities to the book. 

For the past five years the selections of To Kill a Mockingbird, 1984, Endurance: Shackelton’s Incredible Voyage, Kite Runner and The Secret Life of Lobsters have been very successful. The Secret Life of Lobsters by Trevor Corson attracted many readers who were pleasantly surprised at how informative and humorous the book turned out to be. Including the companion books of The Young Man and the Sea and Lobsterman over six hundred books were circulation by the four libraries and sales were brisk at area bookstores. The number of scheduled events and attendance exceeded previous years, while many sizes and shapes of lobsters sought refuge in the libraries. Author Trevor Corson’s informative and entertaining talk at both Patten Free Library and Topsham Public Library was the highlight of last winter’s Read.

How is the Community Read Book Selected?

Representatives from all four libraries comprise the committee that selects the books and arranges the scheduled events for discussions, presentations, and activities related to the title. Suggestions for the Read can be submitted by members of the community through our website, www.midcoastreads.com. Committee members, library patrons, and library staff also make suggestions.  Each title is reviewed with regard to the following criteria:

Over the course of 3 or 4 meetings and hours of reading in between, the committee narrows and prioritizes choices before the final selection is made.

Midcoast Community Read Committee

Curtis Memorial Library, Patten Free Library, Topsham Public Library, and Wiscasset Public Library sponsor the Midcoast Community Read. Representatives from all four libraries comprise the committee including library staff and Friends of the Libraries. Meetings commence in the fall to select a title for the winter Read and arrange events for discussion as well as related activities to be held in March.

Criteria for selecting the Community Read book

  1. Is user friendly—affordable, manageable in length, pleasant looking
  2. Has broad-based appeal to readers of different ages, backgrounds, and reading levels
  3. Addresses themes, issues, and topics that encourage and sustain spirited discussion
  4. Lends itself to programs and activities
  5. Has a young adult and children’s book on the same or similar topic
  6. Makes an author talk or presentation by a distinguished speaker possible
  7. Has a movie, documentary, or play based on the book or a related subject

Community Read Committee:

Patten Free Library

Curtis Memorial Library

Topsham Public Library

Wiscasset Public Library

Website

The Community Read website is maintained by Curtis Memorial Library, please contact Michael Heath if you have questions. The splash page and additional support is provided by Dave Ingmundson of Morse High School