Letter from the Mayor

Dear Austinites:

I'm delighted in welcoming your participation in the 2nd annual Mayor's Book Club to KEEP AUSTIN READING. This year we selected the book based on input from the community. In January the Public Library and my office formed a selection committee, which included educators, booksellers, librarians, and patrons of the branch libraries throughout the city. The committee narrowed down the list of books to three, A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, and Holes by Louis Sachar. In February we asked the citizens of Austin to give us their opinion on which of these three books all of Austin should read as part of the citywide reading campaign. All of Austin was invited to make their selection at any of the city Library's 21 locations, by phone at Library's Telephone Information Center or on the Library's Web site. Holes by Louis Sachar was the most popular of the three, and as such will be presented as the recommended book.

An award-winning novel, the book is based upon the journey of a young boy who was mistakenly sent to a detention camp in Texas. The book, available both in English and Spanish at all library locations and at area bookstores, should be entertaining and educational for all to read in Austin.

I am happy to report that for a second year a partnership continues between the City of Austin and the University of Texas. The University of Texas Humanities Institute will work with the Austin Public Library to assist with discussion groups about Holes in the fall.

Please join all of Austin as we read the same book.

Best regards,