The Friends of the Alamance County Public Libraries, organized by volunteers in 1985, exists to promote the interests of the Alamance County Public Libraries and to extend and improve library services to the community.

The Friends proudly present our fourth, bi-annual community read, known as Alamance Reads. The purpose of the one book – one community type program is to encourage dialogue among all people in the county around a common interest. In 2011 that book will be The Pleasure Was Mine by Tommy Hays.

Our book criteria - regional theme, regional author, should appeal to diverse audiences, a book everyone in our community can enjoy - are more than met with this book. Our selection committee has picked a book we hope you will find to be "compulsively discussable". Visit the world of Prate Marshbanks and his family and see how life's challenges shape their every day lives and how they become both stronger and closer to each other. You won't be able to put this book down; and, as one reader commented, "when you aren't actually reading the book, you will be thinking about it."

Share your reading experience, learn from others, and come to the library and participate in the programs associated with Alamance Reads. We look forward to seeing all of you.

Linda Barron & Carlene Morton Co-Chairs Alamance Reads 2011