One Read, coordinated by the Daniel Boone Regional Library (DBRL) and now in its second year, is a community-wide reading program sponsored by a task force made up of local media and community agencies. Modeled after Chicago’s successful “One Book, One Chicago” project, this comprehensive program involves cities, counties, media, schools and businesses in encouraging adults of all ages to read one book and particaipate in thought-provoking discussion and activities. It is the hope of the One Read task force that as many residents as possible in Boone and Callaway Counties (the DBRL region) will participate in One Read.

This year's book is "To Kill A Mockingbird," by Harper Lee.

We accepted recommendations for this year’s One Read book in February. In March, a reading panel, made up of community members from Boone and Callaway counties, reviewed the list of titles suggested, narrowed that list down to two books and presented those to the public to vote on in May. The winning book was announced on August 5, 2003. Community-wide discussions, programs and other activities began in September and ran approximately six weeks.

The library extends a special thank you to the Friends of the Columbia Public Library for its very generous donation. Through the Friends support, Mary Badham, who played Scout in the movie, and Claudia Durst Johnson, an expert on the book, are coming to Mid-Missouri to give presentations. We also thank these One Read contributors for their support: Foundation of the Daniel Boone Regional Library, Friends of the Callaway County and Southern Boone County Public Libraries, and Fulton Public Schools.