Allen Lanham, dean of the Booth Library said it is important for students to read for pleasure.

“In a busy day sometimes one doesn’t take time to relax and read for pleasure,” he said.

Lanham encourages students to get involved in the program “Spring Read 2009” formerly known as “One Book, One University” sponsored by the Booth Library.

This program encourages students, faculty and staff who are interested in the program to read “Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace. One School at a Time” by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin.

This book is considered to be inspirational and tells about the author, Mortenson, who decides to give back to a poverty stricken village in Pakistan by building schools mainly for girls. During his journey, Mortenson is faced with road blocks as he receives death threats from Americans and seen as a traitor and struggles with his family.

Lanham said this book is parallel to the EIU Read’s book “Mountains beyond Mountains” by Tracey Kidder that focuses mainly on Dr. Paul Farmer’s work in Haiti, Peru and Russia and how he attempts to fix healthcare in poor, Third World countries.

“This book is just another journey in another part of the world,” he said. “There are similar circumstances. It’s all about being somewhere and recognizing a need.”

Lanham said this book is great for students who are in all disciplines such as math, science, history, English and many others.

“Sometimes the obstacle is that people on college campuses are reading in their own discipline,” he said. “In this book one can find an artistic theme and it can touch on all majors.”

Lanham said he knows students have other required readings to do for class, but believes that there are some who still read outside of class for enjoyment.

“I believe that these people who get involved in reading and expand their thought develop additional skills they can apply to a variety of situations,” he said.

Lanham said a student who keeps up with his readings in class, are sure to keep up with the spring read despite the page numbers.

“A person who reads 400 pages will read 100 more, but someone who doesn’t read two pages will not read one more,” he said. “Students who do tend to read outside of class can have the ability to speak more intelligently with other topics.”

Lanham said discussion groups will be held after spring break for the book.

“It will give students several weeks to read the book and come back to the discussion sessions and explore with others what they liked about the book, things they were interested in and like to debate about,” he said.

Lanham said the advisory board is working on having contests for the program, but said prizes and giveaways should not be the reason one picks up a book to read.

“It should be for the joy of reading, instead of questioning what I’m going to get out of this, but I am willing to provide prizes if it will help to increase reading,” he said.

Overall, Lanham said he hopes students get involved in the Spring Read program this year.

“Even if you can’t read the whole book, try to read part of it because the effort you are putting forth is worthwhile,” he said. “Some students say ‘I can’t read this’ and I say, yes you can.”

Jessica Leggin can be reached at 581-7942 or at jmleggin@eiu.edu.