One City One Book: San Francisco Reads is a citywide literary event that encourages members of the San Francisco community to read the same book at the same time and then discuss it in book groups and at events throughout the City. By building bridges between communities and generations through the reading and, most importantly, the discussion of one book, we hope to help to make reading a lifelong pursuit and to build a more literate society.
Sponsors for One City One Book include the San Francisco Public Library and Friends of the San Francisco Public Library. The program is also supported by many bookstore partners, program partners and media sponsors.
Selection Criteria
We search for a book that meets as many of the following criteria as possible:
- High literary quality;
- Reflective of universal issues facing San Franciscans;
- Mirrors the diversity of San Francisco;
- Connects to San Francisco either through the content or perhaps because the author is from San Francisco;
- Available in key languages;
- Currently in print and available in large quantities;
- Appeals to adults and high-schoolers;
- Available in paperback;
- Capable of sparking provocative discussions;
- Lends itself to engaging public programs around the book.
20th One City One Book Selection Committee
- Alejandro Gallegos, Adult Engagement Manager, SFPL
- Michelle Jeffers, Chief of Community Programs and Partnerships, SFPL
- Mario Lemos, Senior Director, Major Gifts & Planned Giving, Project Open Hand
- Jessica Lipnack, Board member, Friends of the San Francisco Public Library
- Kathyrn Ma, Author of Chinese Groove, 18th One City One Book
- Susan Mall, Former Commissioner, San Francisco Library Commission
- Lori Talarico, Adult Community Engagement Coordinator, SFPL
- Connie Wolf, President, San Francisco Library Commission; Art, Culture, Education Consultant
- Jaime Wong, Director of Communications, SFPL
One City One Book Nomination
Do do you have a title you would like the selection committee to consider for the next One City One Book? We would love to hear from you, please use this Nomination Form to submit your recommendation.