This week on WCLK's The Local Take I’m speaking with Victor Simmons, the library administrator from the Auburn Avenue Research Library, part of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System. This year along with the Fulton Public Library system, they launched the One Book, One Read Initiative in Fulton County. This initiative provides community engagement around the reading and discussion of a specific book.
The initiative was launched with the reading of Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Pulitzer Award-Winning journalist Isabel Wilkerson.
I asked Simmons about the initiative and how it came to our community. He spoke about the Atlanta Fulton Public Library Foundation, community engagement, and hoping to engage with the authors of various books.
They looked at Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents due to Wilkerson’s ability to break down information for consumption. She delivers information in a way that is easy for most to understand. Simmons also mentions that Caste provides information about the Indian, German/Jewish, and American caste systems. He says the hope is that conversations between community members will result in healing dialogues.
Although the program is ongoing, it will culminate with a conversation with Isabel Wilkerson at the Auburn Research Library on March 27th. This will be a virtual event, and community members can attend even if they haven’t finished the book.
I ask Simmons to share with us the mission of the Auburn Avenue Research Library. He speaks about their commitment to celebrating the African-American experience. They have archives with artwork, music, magazines, books, and more. The papers of Ambassador Andrew Young, Hosea Williams, and Donald Lee Hollowell are housed at the library. He mentions their special programming, including Black Music Month programming and film screenings.
For more information on One Book, One Read Initiative
For more information on the Auburn Avenue Research Library
For more information on the Atlanta Fulton County Library Foundation
For more information onCASTE by Isabel Wilkerson