UW Madison is initiating a common book program, Go Big Read and we started a little late in the year so it’s a scramble to get this major initiative up and running. I would describe my role as “project manager,” since it’s an initiative of our new Chancellor, but the library is really getting things started. Here are some interesting things about the program:
- Since we made a campus announcement and put a web form up to initiate an abbrieviated selection process, we have 600 suggestions. The Chancellor will be choosing a book in early April.
- We’re very interested in curricular integration, so I’ve been going around to meetings with the directors of large-enrollment first-year courses with the Director of the Center for the First Year Experience and the Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning. It’s been interesting to “get on the same page” with such a group.
- Everyone has lots of ideas that they’re very tied to and everyone is interested in participating or helping out in some way.
- Should be interesting.
I’m not tied to any one book selection, which makes this whole thing less stressful, so far. I’d be interested to talk to librarians who have had this role in a campus common read project, if that’s you please get in touch!
