On the Same Page
Kent District Library
Innovation Synopsis
What if the most powerful form of library advocacy wasn't just convincing people of our value, but helping them experience it collectively firsthand? On the Same Page brings nationally recognized authors in conversation and thousands of readers together for a shared literary celebration centered on friendship and belonging. In 2026, nearly 7,000 attendees filled Van Andel Arena for what is believed to be the largest library event in history. The atmosphere of collective joy, belonging, and shared purpose was not just seen but felt. As thousands gathered around literature, a sentiment echoed throughout the arena: the library is more relevant than ever.
Challenge/Opportunity
Libraries continue to face questions about their relevance in an increasingly digital and socially divided world.
At the same time, communities are hungry for meaningful in-person connection. Libraries are in a unique position to combat social isolation & create experiences where people gather around ideas, stories, & a shared sense of belonging.
Many libraries are trying to convince people to show up, but KDL had the opposite problem. In less than 15 minutes, all 1000 On the Same Page tickets sold out with a waitlist that grew to over 10,000, demonstrating a powerful need for library-led cultural experiences.
KDL needed to scale the event dramatically while preserving the intimacy, author connection, & sense of community that made the program so successful in years past.
Library advocacy is not limited to promoting services, sharing statistics, or advancing legislation. It can also create emotional connections & shared cultural moments that remind people why libraries matter.
Key Elements of Innovation
Structure: On the Same Page is a large-scale, library-led community reading celebration built around a nationally recognized author event, shared reading experience, & systemwide outreach.
Key partners: Amy Van Andel, Van Andel Arena, event sponsors/donors, publishers/author teams, KDL staff, community readers, & local media partners.
Activities: Author conversation, arena-scale gathering, Summer Wonder tie-in, title promotion, branch engagement, supporting programs & book clubs themed around the featured books, & community participation.
Goals: Elevate library relevance, deepen belonging, increase reading engagement, & demonstration of libraries as essential community conveners.
Innovation: KDL made library impact visible at arena scale. The initiative advances the field by turning advocacy into a lived experience -- immersive, joyful, & participatory, -- proving libraries can convene thousands around literature, connection, friendship, & shared experience.
Achieved Outcomes
Success was measured by the event’s ability to advance library awareness through participation, reading engagement, public visibility, partnerships, & feedback:
Nearly 7,000 attendees filled Van Andel Arena for what is believed to be the largest library event in history.
Adult completion of KDL’s Summer Wonder program increased 20% from 2025 to 2026.
Following the 2026 announcement, circulation of Kristin Hannah’s The Women increased 265% over four months.
Nearly $50,000 in sponsorships & donations was raised in three weeks.
A new partnership with Van Andel Arena expanded the scale of what a library program could be & reduced costs because of their belief in KDL's mission & community impact
Attendees described the event as inspiring, joyful, & deeply connecting, reinforcing the role of libraries in community life.
Staff pride increased, & job seekers later cited KDL’s energy, kindness, & community spirit as reasons they wanted to work for the library.
