January – April, 2012:: Silicon Valley Reads 2012 – Muslim and American

ING partners with the Silicon Valley Reads program to present 7 presentations in 7 libraries around the Bay Area between February and April, 2012. The theme of Silicon Valley Reads 2012 is Muslim and American, and as such ING continues its two-decade tradition of educating about American Muslims and their faith by presenting Getting to Know American Muslims and Their Faith at the following 7 libraries:

February 4 – Saratoga Library, Saratoga

February 18 – Alviso Library, San Jose

February 22 – Evergreen Library, San Jose

March 10 – East SJ Carnegie Branch Library, San Jose

March 21 – Campbell Library, Campbell

March 28 – Morgan Hill Library, Morgan Hill

April 18 – Gilroy Library, Gilroy

Since 2002, the Silicon Valley Reads program has encouraged everyone in Santa Clara County to read the same book, at the same time, and talk about it. It is presented by the Santa Clara County Office of Education, Santa Clara County Library and the San Jose Public Library Foundation, with funding from foundations, nonprofit organizations, corporations, and private donors.

Each year several dozen free public events are offered in conjunction with Silicon Valley Reads at libraries, schools, and community locations. Between 4,000-5,000 individuals attend these events and thousands more read the featured books on their own, for high school and college assignments, and with their book clubs. Partnerships with community organizations and businesses are an important element to extend the reach of Silicon Valley Reads into all segments of the region.

In recent years, Silicon Valley Reads has also recommended companion books for children with themes similar to the featured book for adults. This allows families to read together and to discuss contemporary issues and themes.

Goals for Silicon Valley Reads 2012

• To spark provocative discussions that lead to a valuable exchange of perspectives, life experiences and understanding among widely-diverse readers
• To build community through open dialogue
• To support education and lifelong learning
• To challenge Silicon Valley to continue its commitment to thoughtful creativity and innovation
• To celebrate the achievements of Silicon Valley Reads in the past decade
• To showcase technology innovations related to publishing, reading and community dialogue
• To recognize the thriving literary community in Silicon Valley, both authors and readers