Community reading project kicks off Saturday

The Carson City Library's community reading project kicks off Saturday when tickets become available to meet the author of "Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace One School at a Time."

Tickets will be handed out beginning at

10 a.m. for Greg Mortenson's appearance on March 9, the highlight of the citywide reading initiative.

"We've been fielding a lot of phone calls," said Andrea Moore, the library's programming outreach coordinator. "I have a feeling people are going to be lining up pretty early."

Moore said about 400 tickets will be available for the presentation at the Carson Nugget. If tickets run low, she said, a lottery may be held for the final 50.

"It's unfortunate, but we may run out of tickets," she said.

However, there is a bright side.

"It would be wonderful to see Carson City come out for this event," she said.

During the reading initiative from Sunday through March 9, area book clubs are encouraged to choose the book as their monthly read. Clubs that have already read the book can read Mortenson's new release, "Stones into Schools: Promoting Peace with Books, Not Bombs, in Afghanistan and Pakistan."

Moore said the book was chosen for its message of peace.

"'Three Cups of Tea' is such a current topic right now globally," she said. "For us here in Carson City to experience those principles in our community is a unique opportunity."

She said the reading project can help unite the community.

"To do a community read is an active engagement of a civic discussion," Moore said. "You can really start to create a shared experience and get a dialog going. It's like one big book club."

Beginning in February, the library will host a reading event every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. The first will be Feb. 9 at the Galaxy Theatres featuring former Nevada Appeal photographer Rick Gunn's show "Soul Cycler," showcasing images and stories from his bike ride around the world.

Other local photographers and travelers will be featured each Tuesday following in the library auditorium.

Funding for the project is through a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museums and Library Services. Other sponsors include the Nevada Appeal, Carson Nugget and Casino Fandango.

For more information, visit the Web site at www.carsoncitylibrary.org or call 887-2244.