#CorridorReads: Libraries join together to share summer reads

People across the Corridor are deep in fantasy trilogies, reading 'Frankenstein,” listening to fiction audiobooks and paging through a cookbook based on the TV show 'Gilmore Girls.”

That's according to a new social media hashtag - #CorridorReads - that libraries in Linn and Johnson counties began promoting last week.

The campaign is the first time libraries across both counties have developed programming together, said Amber Mussman, Cedar Rapids Public Library community relations manager.

'We've never really had much of an opportunity to do things across the Corridor. This is a great first attempt at that,” Mussman said. ' ... Even University of Iowa libraries has been joining in on the fun. We wanted it to be as open to everyone as possible.”

Participating libraries are encouraging people in the community to post online photos of their favorite reads, their summer book lists or literary events they attend.

'We know that libraries across the Corridor and across the country do all kinds of programming in the summer,” Mussman said. 'We thought it would be amazing if, instead of focusing on just our summer program, we went a little bigger.”

Staff from the Cedar Rapids Public Library and the Iowa City Public Library met first to discuss the campaign idea, she said, before each branched out to other libraries in their respective counties.

Participating libraries include those in North Liberty, Marion, Hiawatha and the University of Iowa Libraries System.

'It's in the early stages, but we're hoping it picks up over the summer,” Mussman said. 'One of the big goals is to shift focus away from all the negative things out there (on social media), and lighten everyone's spirits.”

The #CorridorReads campaign also is promoting additional social media hashtags. On Mondays, it is encouraging social media users to share acts of kindness with the tag #Choose Kindness.

'There's a lot of not-so-fun things out there. Some days it can be a lot,” Mussman said. 'Think about social media as an opportunity to share about all the good things. ... All of a sudden maybe your Facebook feed is a little brighter that day.”

l Comments: (319) 398-8330; molly.duffy@thegazette.com