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One Book, One Community

A FAQ about the 2021 One Book, One Community event

One Book, One Community.

One Book, One Community, is a joint initiative connecting the Thompson Nicola Regional Library (TNRL) and Thompson Rivers University (TRU). One Book, One Community supports reading, celebrates books and writing, promotes Canadian writers, and builds a sense of community through the shared experience of reading. TNRL/TRU encourages everyone to read the same book, discuss it, attend an event, and meet the author. Over the course of the academic year, you will have many opportunities to share and compare ideas about the One Book. Many faculty members and staff will also have read the book, providing a broad base for discussion outside the classroom. Additionally, many of the lectures, discussions, exhibits, films, and concerts that take place during the semester are specifically chosen to complement the book. Events will be throughout the academic year, with author events planned for March 2022.

The book selected for OBOC is Five Little Indians.

Five Little Indians explores the themes of:

  • Residential Schools
  • Intergenerational Trauma
  • Poverty, addiction, suicide
  • Racism
  • Resiliency

Some themes in Five Little Indians may be upsetting.

IRSSS (Indian Residential Schools Survivors Society) emergency crisis line is available 24/7 for those that may need counselling support. 1-800-721-0066.

Here2Talk is a Government of British Columbia initiative that connects post-secondary students with mental health support if you need it.

Employee and Family Assistance Program. EFAP is a self-referral counselling service available to most TRU employees. All information is confidential. Contact the Ceridian Lifeworks office (in confidence) at 877-207-8833

OBOC events

  • The author will visit the Kamloops and Williams Lake campuses
  • Book club discussions (TRU community).
  • Faculty speaker series.
  • CELT book club (teaching-focussed).
  • TNRL lead community events.

How can you get involved?

  • Feature the book in your course.
  • Give a speakers talk from your disciplinary perspective
  • Lead, join, or promote a book club at TRU or with TNRL (face-to-face or online).
  • Join the OBOC TRU Planning Group as a Faculty/School representative.

FAQ

Question: How was the book selected?
Answer: The official selections are made by the TNRL/TRU One book, One Community Steering committee. The criteria for book selection included:

  • Mass appeal to the University and greater community.
  • Flexible teaching text with moderate page length.
  • Accessible reading level. Book availability (libraries and bookstores).
  • The viability of author involvement.

Question: Who can participate in One Book, One Community?
Answer: Students, Faculty, Staff, and anyone in the general community.

Question: Why Read Together?
Answer: Of course, it's satisfying to finish a book, then mull it over by oneself for an hour, an evening, a day, or whatever the period is before picking up the next book. So, what enhances a great book? Discussion with friends, neighbors, or fellow community members sharing ideas, perspectives, learning from each other and building a sense of community.

Question: When and where will the author visit?
Answer: Author events are scheduled for March. Watch this webpage for details.

Question: Where can I find the OBOC title to borrow or buy?
Answer: Visit a OBOC participating bookseller or the public library for your copy of this year’s selection.

Question: Are local book clubs involved?
Answer: Local book clubs are highly encouraged to read the One Book selection, discuss it at their meetings and take part in a variety of region-wide programs.

Question: How can I contact the committee?
Answer: You can email us at library@tru.ca.