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About the Book Selection Process
This year's book selection process was the most
comprehensive and democratic yet. A list of more
than 100 titles was compiled from: suggestions from
library patrons and staff solicited over the library
website and at all KPL locations, suggestions
gathered from last year's evaluation process,
librarian recommendations, other community reading
programs' selections, and suggestions from community
leaders. Then 30 community members, including school
principals, teachers and librarians, college,
university, special and public librarians, and
representatives from businesses, the media, and 10
different community groups, were asked to serve on
the selection committee. Each committee member chose
ten titles from the 100+ offered. All top ten lists
were then compiled into a short list of 13, plus an
additional 11 titles that were recommended by
committee members.
The committee members gathered for two hours of
intense discussion on October 6 and voted on the
list of 24 books (complete suggestion lists linked
below). When the votes were tallied, one book
emerged as the clear favorite of the committee.
Library staff then confirmed that multiple editions
would be available from book vendors and engaged the
author for a visit to Kalamazoo.
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