One Book, One County, One Community Reads: Palaces for the People

“Democracy must begin at home, and its home is the neighborly community.”― Eric Klinenberg

What happens when nine public library systems, Playhouse Square and The City Club of Cleveland get together? The result is One Community Reads—a Cuyahoga County-wide initiative to promote reading and encourage dialogue about social issues affecting our communities. This year’s book is Palaces for the People: How Social Infrastructure Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization, and the Decline of Civic Life by Eric Klinenberg.

Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish serves as the Honorary Chair of the One Community Reads program. “As County Executive, it is vitally important to me that we identify and support the places that make our county strong and connected,” says Budish.

The One Community Reads celebration begins at 4:30 pm Monday, January 20 at Cleveland Public Library in downtown Cleveland. The backdrop is the exhibition, Cleveland 20/20: A Photographic Exploration of Cleveland, which showcases everyday life in Cleveland. “This exhibition [on the 1st Floor of Main Library in Brett Hall] highlights diversity, the changing faces of Cleveland and social infrastructure which is the essence of this year’s One Community Reads book, Palaces for the People,” said Felton Thomas, Jr., Executive Director and CEO of Cleveland Public Library. “We hope this photography exhibit along with Klinenberg’s book will spark thought-provoking conversation about how we build powerful relationships across the county, open doors for people to help them achieve success as well as protect and invest more resources in public institutions such as the Library.”

Author Eric Klinenberg will visit Cleveland and present a book discussion at 7 pm Monday, March 9, 2020 at the Playhouse Square Mimi Ohio Theatre. Registration is required. One Community Reads partner, ideastream, will broadcast the event live at Euclid Public Library, Heights Lee Road Branch, Lakewood Public Library, Rocky River Public Library, and Westlake Porter Public Library.

Join us in “neighborly community” when we read and discuss Palaces for the People. Visit the One Community Reads website for the complete list and location of all the supporting programs.