Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 65.92
Liaison Christie-Joy Hartman
Submission Date Dec. 21, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

James Madison University
IN-25: Innovation B

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Amanda Bodle
Sustainability Specialist
ISNW
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Name or title of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
A Book for the 'Burg

A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome that outlines how credit criteria are met and any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation:

Inspired by a One Book, One Community model and infused with sustainability, "A Book for the 'Burg" is a community-wide reading program first launched in academic year 2013-14 to engage our community in conversations around a thought-provoking environmental stewardship/sustainability theme. Community members are encouraged to explore the libraries' book selections and attend a number of related events and activities. The 2018-19 program is the second A Book for the 'Burg. The focus on pollinator education and conservation will assist in using the program to fulfill JMU's Bee Campus USA application requirements.

For 2018, A Book for the 'Burg joins a national conversation already underway about the importance of pollinators and their declining populations. Our approach to the reading selections this year is a unique one; rather than a single book selection, our community libraries will each have an array of books related to pollinators available, and new this year are K-12 selections. Community members can visit the Massanutten Regional Library, the James Madison University Libraries, or the Eastern Mennonite University Library for an inspiring selection of books.

Programming includes workshops, guest lectures, a film screening, youth activities, and facilitated dialogues (see attached flyer). Programs are free, open to the public, and do not require participants to have read the recommended books. Both the readings and events will challenge us to think about how environmental stewardship is and can be integrated into our lives, and to recognize that our choices have significant ethical implications for our own lives, for the lives of those we know in our community, and for the lives of many others in this interconnected world.

A Book for the 'Burg is the result of a partnership between James Madison University, Eastern Mennonite University, Massanutten Regional Library, and the City of Harrisonburg Parks and Recreation.

Committee members include...

A Book for the ‘Burg Community Planning Committee:
Amanda Bodle, James Madison University; Brittany Clem, Harrisonburg Parks and Recreation; Marci Frederick, Eastern Mennonite University; Deborah Pugh, James Madison University; and Susan Versen, Massanutten Regional Library

A Book for the ‘Burg JMU Faculty Advisory Committee:
Amanda Bodle, Sustainability Specialist; Amy Goodall, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Geographic Science; Mary Handley, Ph.D., Professor of Integrated Science and Technology; Carole Nash, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Geographic Science; Maria Papadakis, Ph.D., CEM, Professor of Integrated Science and Technology; Michael Renfroe, Ph.D., Professor of Biology; Mikaela Schmitt-Harsh, Ph.D., Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies; and Wayne Teel, Ph.D., Professor of Geographic Science and Integrated Science and Technology


Which of the following impact areas does the innovation most closely relate to? (select up to three):
Campus Enagement
Public Engagement

A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise or a press release or publication featuring the innovation :
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

One Book, One Community model: http://www.ala.org/tools/programming/onebook


The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.