The Ross-Cherry Creek branch library is located in a hub of urban shopping and dining. Not all area residents are aware of the library or the services available. The Food Lover’s Book Club aims to unite our unique populations with library services and local small businesses. Denver’s foodie community has grown over the past decade and DPL recognized this growth as an opportunity to bring new customers through the doors. For each club, Faison partners with a restaurant owner, farmer, or local food artisan to create a culinary experience inspired by the book. Participants taste the food, learn about the local business, and connect with new ideas and networks.

Staff from the Ross-Cherry Creek Branch Library worked with the local neighborhood business improvement district (BID) to brainstorm ideas for programming that would highlight area merchants. The BID connected them to Amanda Faison, who leverages her own relationships to bring the library fantastic programming. Because of Amanda’s affiliation with 5280 magazine, the program received free promotional features in their online editions: http://www.5280.com/tag/tags/food-lovers-book-club

In 2014, The Food Lover’s Book Club held six sessions, each attended by 25-60 people. The Food Lover’s Book Club has introduced new customers to both the Library and local small businesses. One of the most successful book club sessions featured Jerusalem by Yotam Ottolenghi. Denver-owned business Savory Spice Shop created an amazing array of Middle Eastern food for the participants and spoke about sourcing and cooking with quality spices. Overall programming attendance at the Ross-Cherry Creek Branch more than tripled in 2014, no doubt due to creative program collaborations like The Food Lover’s Book Club. This type of programming is an excellent example of DPL’s goal of utilizing library materials and programs to support the local community and economy.