Pay It Forward Movement News

September is literacy month in Michigan City, and as part of the observance, this year's selection for the One Book, One Community literacy program was announced. The book is "Pay it Forward" by Catherine Ryan Hyde.

Robin Kohn, director of public relations for Michigan City Public Library, said the book appeals to readers from youth through adults.

"Because it was a film, a lot of people were familiar with it," Kohn said. "We liked the premise. If you help three people and they help three people, by paying it forward you exponentially help."

Library Director Don Glossinger said he reflects on his own experience when the word literacy comes up. "I grew up in poverty and illiteracy was one of the plagues that we lived with. It is linked with prison, drug addiction, violence, victimization, despair and a sense of immobility.

"I can't remember a time when I couldn't read," said Glossinger, "yet I didn't always value it and I wasn't always as good at it as I am now."

Reading, said Glossinger, has the power to liberate and enhance quality of life. In 1987, the library's literacy program started with one student. Glossinger said the program has grown to 57 tutors and 73 students.

"Michigan City Public Library is always naturally involved in literacy because of its mission, but we are always willing to help and do more," Glossinger said.

Judy Hanish, literacy coordinator for LaPorte County, said literacy is a lifelong commitment. "Truly, I believe 'Pay it Forward,' ... really fits into the Literacy Council of LaPorte County. Literacy has become a major focus in our community. If people leave third grade without really being up to snuff on reading, they're playing catch-up the rest of their lives."

Mayor Chuck Oberlie said that reading is fundamental. "In an emergency such as we're experiencing on a national scale, reaffirms to all of us the importance of reading itself and why we need to make sure that the people we have around us today can read and we reach out and catch who can't."

"Pay It Forward" was released as a movie in 2000. The book has been translated into 20 languages in more than 30 countries. The movie will be shown at a number of area libraries. The Michigan City Public Library plans to show the movie in October and the LaPorte County Public Library in November.

Books are available at the library to read and pass on to a friend or return to the library. Kohn said they were able to purchase the books and show the movie through a grant from the Indiana Humanities Council.

Kohn said there will be discussion groups on the book across LaPorte County. The will be at the Michigan City Public Library Oct. 14. There will also be discussion groups in Rolling Prairie and Hanna.

At 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, "Pay it Forward" author Catherine Ryan Hyde will take part in the library's Writing Out Loud program at the Lubeznik Center for the Arts, 101 W. Second St.

This is the fourth year for "One Book, One Community." The program began in 2002 with "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. In 2003 "Raisin in the Sun" by Lorraine Hansberry was picked, and last year's book was "The Whale Rider" by Witi Ihimaera.