Nickel and Dimed cover

“The more we share a common ground of information, the better we function as a community. Anything that pries us out of our living room easy chairs and gets us out and discussing the issues with others is a triumph.”– Rex Rhodes,
Executive Editor,
Lewiston Sun-Journal

“Keep picking books like this one.”

“Keep with books that [have relevance for] the areas; they are important to understanding our culture.”

“This is a book that sticks with you.”– Anonymous Participant Responses

Lewiston-Auburn Reads

Lewiston-Auburn Reads

Nickel and Dimed, which is about the lives of the working poor and was the first non-fiction book selected for L–A Reads!, was chosen because the organizers felt that the book raised issues that would resonate with the Lewiston–Auburn community. Two parts of the program are of particular interest:

  • A panel discussion of community leaders from both towns addressed challenges faced by those in the community working at low-wage jobs in the Lewiston–Auburn area.
  • The local newspaper featured articles related to the issues in the book and printed local profiles of the working poor in conjunction with the program.
2005: Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich
Synopsis Investigative journalist Ehrenreich decides to learn firsthand how people survive on $7 an hour. With one-month stints in Key West, Maine, and Minnesota in “non-skilled” labor jobs, Ehrenreich learns that the answer to the question is that even with her advantages of a car and good health, it’s hard to get by from day-to-day.
Partners The Lewiston Public Library and the Auburn Public Library.
Activities
  • “Struggling to Get By in Lewiston-Auburn,” a panel discussion of Lewiston and Auburn community leaders, addressed challenges faced by those working in the community at low-wage jobs and trying to make ends meet. The panel included Linda M. Hertell, President, Richardson Hollow Mental Health; Mary Kozicki LaFontaine, Manager, Lewiston Career Center; Barbara Rankin, Neighborhood Coordinator, Empower Lewiston; Nancy Reynolds, Team Leader, Advocates for Children; and Mark Schlotterbeck, City Missionary, Calvary United Methodist Church. The evening panel discussion, which took place at Lewiston-Auburn College, was moderated by Rex Rhodes, Executive Editor of the Lewiston Sun-Journal.
  • Facilitated book discussions held at the Auburn and Lewiston public libraries.
Materials/ Promotions
  • Bookmark/brochure and a coordinating button were produced using templates and tips from the ALA’s One Book One Community: Planning Your Community Wide Read CD and tool kit, which was also helpful for planning and publicity.
  • Website.
  • Press releases, posters, calendar listings, etc.
  • Press conference.
  • Event was showcased at a monthly Chamber of Commerce meeting.
  • Displays.
  • Word of mouth.
Book Distribution Representatives from the staffs and Friends Distribution Groups of both libraries oversaw the project. The book selection was announced in February; programs and discussion events took place in April. Once the 2005 title selection was announced, 25 copies of the book were purchased for the Lewiston Public Library, while the Auburn Public Library purchased 20 copies for their collection and as giveaways. Books were also sold at a twenty-percent discount at participating local bookstores, which also distributed an L-A Reads! button with each purchase.
Attendance 48 people attended the community forum and panel discussion; one person attended the book discussion held at the Lewiston library, while 12 participated in Auburn.
Community Impact In conjunction with L-A Reads!, the Lewiston Sun-Journal newspaper ran an author interview and a major story on the community reading event just before the kick-off. The Sun Journal also published occasional features on the issues raised, including local profiles of the working poor over the course of the event.

Rosemary Waltos, Auburn Public Library Director, notes that the community read “...raised the awareness of the issues and challenges faced by low-wage workers. Eighty-eight percent of the people who answered our survey said they gained a new or better understanding of the issues presented in the book.”
Budget/ Funding The two library Friends groups were the major source of financial support for this program, with combined cash donations of $450.

In-kind support, including promotional assistance, book discounts, and program support, were made by Lewiston Adult Education, Auburn Adult Education, the Lewiston Sun-Journal, Lewiston-Auburn College, The Book Burrow & Café, Mr. Paperback, Waldenbooks, and WCNN Radio. Library staff time was not tracked, but included time spent on acquisitions and cataloging, developing and maintaining the website, communicating with the media, organizing the panel program and book discussions.
Funders The Friends of Auburn Public Library and the Friends of Lewiston Public Library.
Challenges According to the organizers, it was, at times, difficult to generate community energy for the program and book. They speculate that this may have been because the book:

  • is a work of non-fiction,
  • has been out for several years, and/or
  • because of the subject matter of the book.

Rex Rhodes, the panel moderator, noted that this event appeared to attract professionals and volunteers who were already engaged and knowledgeable in this field, rather than a cross-section of the general public.

The Library directors cited several other challenges, including selecting a title with broad appeal; securing funding to provide enough copies of books; attracting new partners as active participants, developing programs with the potential to attract good attendance, and measuring the success of the program.
For More Information
Contact Rosemary Waltos,
Auburn Public Library Director
782-3191
rwaltos@auburn.lib.me.us
or
Rick Speer,
Lewiston Public Library Director
207-784-0135, ext. 208
rspeer@ci.lewiston.me.us