SAN ANTONIO — Books are so powerful they can make you laugh, scream, or in Amy Hone’s case they can bring you to tears.
Hone is the executive director of the San Antonio Public Library Foundation, and her favorite book of all time is the Nightingale by Kristen Hannah – a story that caused her to sob while driving down 281 on her way to work.
“I love history and I have always been interested in World War II,” Hone said.
Hone admits the book is quite sad but still remains her favorite of all time.
And that’s exactly the kind of conversations she hopes are sparked from the “Bookmark the Town” initiative.
The foundation launched a new campaign, “Bookmark the Town,” in the hopes of getting San Antonians excited about books, reading and local libraries.
For “Bookmark the Town,” the foundation is selling dry erase yard signs that participants can place in their front yards. Participants are supposed to write the title of their favorite book, a book they’re currently reading, or a book they are planning to read.
“We want to get neighbors talking to each other about what they’re reading and why it’s important,” Hone said.
The yard sign features the “Bookmark the Town” logo which displays the San Antonio skyline - made entirely of books. There’s also a QR code on the sign that directs participants to the foundation’s website where they can purchase their own signs and other merchandise including mugs and tote bags.
Residents are urged to take pictures of their signs and post them on social media with #bookmarkSA in the caption.
Hone said the community response has been beyond what they were expecting which has led the foundation to extend the new initiative until the end of 2024 – while its original end date was set for this upcoming December.
Some of the foundation members learned about the program and its success at the Charlotte Mecklenburg area libraries and believed it could be good for San Antonio.
“What better way to get people who are not normal library users to go try out the library and find out all the things that the library has to offer in addition to books,” Hone said.
One of Hone’s favorite things about the program is seeing parents buy multiple yard signs for each of their kids and placing them proudly in their front yard.
“It’s been a lot of fun to see that,” Hone said
Residents can also catch a glimpse of two “Bookmark the Town” yard signs at the foundation headquarters on Shook Avenue.
Hone said one of the signs is for kids and the other is targeted more towards adults. The children’s book on one of the signs is the book of the month featured in their literacy caravan program.
Hone hopes the initiative helps local libraries increase circulation and that residents discover the Libby app and sign up for library cards at their neighborhood library.
“That is my personal mission is to build this generation of kiddos in San Antonio that are going to drag their parent to the libraries,” Hone said.
Hone along with other foundation members love seeing the pictures posted on social media - one of her favorites is at the St. Luke’s Episcopal School.
The “Bookmark the Town” sign is in the school library which gives students the opportunity to participate in the campaign and ignites discussions about what book to write.
Yard signs have also been given to city and county officials including council members and the mayor.
“We really hope that everybody will be participating in this really soon,” Hone said.
The foundation was initially ready to launch the campaign in the summer but waited until September because of the temperatures outside. The members had hoped once the weather got cooler people would start walking in their neighborhoods, see the signs and start talking about books.
To participate in “Bookmark the Town” click here.
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