What was your reaction when your favorite book was turned into a movie? It’s always a nerve-wracking moment when you realize the characters that you pictured in your head could be different than the ones that appear on the screen. Or that your favorite plot point may be left out altogether!

Missouri River Regional Library and the Capitol City Cinema partnered in 2018 to bring “From the Page to the Screen” to Jefferson City. This program is an opportunity for community members of all ages to read their favorites, then come together to watch the film and discuss both!

Missouri River Regional Library has several book clubs, including one for 3rd-5th graders, two for 6th-12th graders, and two for adults. Each book club’s librarian determined a list of books for their clubs’ reading level and submitted them to the Cinema to determine which books had the best options for films. It was a fun process, especially as staff members were able to reminisce about some of their favorite titles.

The series kicked off with the adult book club in April 2018. Participants read Winter’s Bone by Daniel Woodrell. The youth segment of the series began in May with A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, then continued in June when participants read The BFG by Roald Dahl, and in July with The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky.

While the book clubs are organized by age groups at the Library, all ages read and attended the film showing at the Cinema! It has been fun for the librarians to lead discussions with this diverse audience, and has led to some interesting discussions!

Missouri River Regional Library loves finding unique opportunities to partner with other organizations in Cole and Osage County. Enhancing our community is vital, and “From the Page to the Screen” has been a great way to combine two great loves!

The final youth book club event will be on August 21, 2018 with The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo. In October participants will read The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan  and watch the film together on October 16, 2018.