The Oregonian, January 2, 2003

And, they hope, more reading.

"It's a way to introduce people to numerous resources of libraries, a way to draw the community together," said Jodi Nielsen, program educator with Washington County's Cooperative Library Services in Hillsboro. The county's Commission on Children and Family is co-sponsoring the effort.

"The project didn't necessarily require this book," she said. The next book chosen might revolve around diversity or another thought-provoking topic.

"The whole idea was to have something that both teens and adults could read," she said, "something that would have a discussible theme, that speaks to our community and what's going on. That gets people thinking."

Involving communities in reading programs isn't new. Multnomah County just began an Everybody Reads effort, encouraging its residents to read and discuss "A Lesson Before Dying" by Ernest J. Gaines.

But Multnomah County's program focuses exclusively on reading and discussion. The Washington County program will include a photo contest, school projects funded by the Pay It Forward Foundation, and a town hall panel discussion featuring the book's author and community leaders.

Officially, Reads began in December, when students in sixth through 12th grades submitted proposals for grants to fund good-deed projects. Those grants will be awarded in mid-January, kicking off the rest of the campaign that culminates April 9-13, when the projects must be completed.

That's also when "Pay It Forward" author Catherine Ryan Hyde comes to town.

Hyde will participate in several discussion groups, including one at the Harkins House in Hillsboro, a youth shelter run by the Washington County Juvenile Department. On April 11 at the Beaverton City Library, she'll join the town hall discussion with others including Deborah White of Dallas, Oregon Teacher of the Year, and Ralph Brown, a former Oregon legislator and Cornelius mayor.

"It's a pretty simple idea," said Hyde, 47, of her book, published in 1999. She lives in Cambria, on the California coast. "A couple of times, total strangers bailed me out of a bad bind. Once I was driving at night, and I had a car fire, and a couple of strangers stopped to help. But they disappeared before I had a chance to say thanks.

"It really changed my thinking. When you're used to receiving from somebody else, you're more likely to give to a stranger."

The book and subsequent movie transformed Hyde's life and led to the creation of the Pay It Forward Foundation, which encourages reading and goodwill projects, especially among young people.

"It seems like it just keeps on going," Hyde said of her book, which she never expected to become a movie, let alone a catalyst for student action worldwide. "You would think by reading the book that I'm a wildly optimistic person.

"That's not really true. I just got lucky."

Many copies available Those wanting to get a jump on Hyde's luck can start reading "Pay It Forward" now. County libraries have many copies, including large-print, audio and Spanish versions. Local bookstores have been notified of the campaign so they could stock up. The 311-page paperback sells for $7.99.

On March 26, book discussions will begin in libraries, schools and homes. They will center on specific questions and themes that Hyde helps formulate. Anybody can be a discussion leader, said Nielsen, and those interested should inquire at any library about training sessions.

Hyde's Pay It Forward Foundation also will help decide which student projects to support. Diana Stotz, program coordinator for the Commission on Children and Family, said about 10 students from all grade levels submitted project ideas by the mid-December deadline, vying for grants of as much as $500.

"One proposal was from a group of piano students who all take piano lessons from the same teacher, and they want to play concerts for senior citizens," Stotz said. The commission's Youth Advisory Board will screen applications and make recommendations to the foundation.

"Another was a school cleanup project to make their school look nicer," she said.

Tualatin photo contest The Tualatin Public Library is sponsoring the photo contest for students in sixth through 12th grades. The black-and-white or color submissions must be no smaller than 4 by 6 inches and no larger than 8 by 10 inches. They also must reflect one of three themes: Paying It Foward (which includes generosity, charity or philanthropy), education or families.

All entries must be dropped off by 5 p.m. March 14 at the Tualatin library, 18880 S.W. Martinazzi Ave.

"I would like to see photos that speak to the heart," said Julie Wickman, the library's program coordinator. Winners will be announced April 4, and their photos will be displayed in the library. Prizes have yet to be decided. "I know that sounds really corny, but I want to be moved."

Finally, the Reads campaign includes free screenings of the movie "Pay It Forward." They're scheduled for 6:30 p.m. March 25 and 2 p.m. April 5 in the Beaverton City Library, 2 p.m. March 28 in Tigard Town Hall, 7 p.m. April 9 in Valley Theatre in Raleigh Hills, and 2 p.m. April 12 in McMenamins Grand Lodge in Forest Grove.

The Washington County program will end in mid-April, but organizers hope this effort goes so well that a second book is chosen soon for the community to read. Nielsen sees one possible glitch: November's failed library levy means more library cutbacks, which could affect staff resources.

"This project depends on a lot of help, from the libraries and the commission, and from in-kind donations from businesses throughout the county," Nielsen said. The Commission on Children and Families provided $10,000, but the project mostly is financed by in-kind donations, as well as staff and volunteer time. "If library staff is stretched too thin, they might not be able to handle this project.

"We hope that doesn't happen. In the meantime, we just want everybody to read -- and talk."

Michelle Mandel: 503-294-5959; michellemandel@news.oregonian.com