Library launches Community Reads, screen-free movement

FAIRMONT -- Take a look in a book and join the screen-free movement at the Martin County Library, which has introduced the first 2026 Martin County Library Community Reads. The book is "The Amazing Generation: Your Guide to Fun and Freedom in a Screen-Filled World."

"I think we started talking about wanting to do a Community Reads early this year, and then as we mulled it over, we thought, 'If we were to do one, what would it look like and who would be the target audience?'" Martin County Library branch outreach librarian Kacey Wurster explained.

"It's something that a lot of communities, a lot of libraries do," added Martin County Library assistant director Claire McGinty-Duffey.

The part-graphic-novel book, written by Social Psychologist/Author Jonathan Haidt and Author Catherine Anne Price, and illustrated by Artist Cynthia Yuan Cheng, is geared towards children in grades 4 to 7/ages 9 to 12, and aims to show readers how to 'use technology as a tool, instead of letting technology use you', advocating for and teaching readers how to take control of their individual lives and halt any unhealthy overuse of smartphones and social media before it possibly threatens aspects of their lifestyles.

The book follows Haidt's previous book, "The Anxious Generation," and aims to relay the same message to younger readers.

"When this book came out, I think we thought this would be a good way to bring more people into that conversation. The book suggests that the answer is community discussion to tackle how we can address kids and social media, and get everyone on the same page. This book seemed like a great segue into that because we can bring in more voices and bring in all different generations," McGinty-Duffey said.

Thanks to a grant from the Traverse de Sioux Library Cooperative, the Martin County Library purchased 150 paperback copies. In addition to the book, a workbook (which includes different challenges and questionnaires) and informational materials created by the library are provided. According to Wurster, more than half of the books and materials have been picked up since distribution began on Tuesday, Sept. 1.

With the book and workbook, readers can understand real-world situations, identify and track personal habits, create goals, choose screen-free activities, take on challenges, calculate total screen use, test knowledge and explore similar book selections. After the books and materials are picked up, the Martin County Library encourages families to read together and even pass the book along to more readers.

"It's a topic that is impacting everyone, regardless of whether they read this book or not. The hope for this book is that people will read it and pass it on and use it as an opportunity to converse with others. Hopefully, that will create a conversation economy... You don't keep it, you pass it on and you keep the conversation going," McGinty-Duffey said.

A digital literacy event to learn about and avoid internet scams and protect personal information will be at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 5, at the Martin County Library. A panel involving school board members, school teachers and area students to discuss the book and how technology plays a role in the classroom and routine, and a simultaneous screen-free kids program will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at the Martin County Library.

"This book was written for kids, kids ages 9 to 12, and [school] is where that target audience is, but also that's where I think a lot of parents are making decisions. Like, 'my 9-year-old's asking for a phone; do I really want to do that?' We also know that kids ages 9 through 12 have parents, siblings and grandparents in the area. If we're going to make a difference, if we're going to start this conversation, it doesn’t start with adults; you need buy-in from the kids, too, to really make a change," said Wurster.

"My husband is a 10th-grade English teacher at Fairmont High School, and I see firsthand how teachers are struggling with technology, too. So it was an obvious ask for the teachers, who have a great gauge of what's going on. They're important leaders in our community and they're important witnesses to what is happening," McGinty-Duffey said.

Further book discussion meetings will be at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5 and Monday, Nov. 9, and from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at the Martin County Library.

"I'm hoping that it's full of ideas of how we're combating technology or social media with our kids and an alliance between parents," said Wurster. "I think just to build a community of 'you're not the only one.' I know it feels like you're the only one, but I know that's just not true. I'm hoping that that's what the book discussion clubs give people, just a better feeling of community."

McGinty-Duffey shared that the goal is for the program to act as a 'vehicle to bring all of us together.'

"To bring us all to the table and make us help us all think deeply about what we want as a community. What do we hope for? What do we hope for our kids? How do we best help support the younger generation? One of the things I'm seeing too, right now, is less discussion about social media and more discussion about AI (artificial intelligence) as in the zeitgeist. So, this is a great time to start talking about AI as a community," McGinty-Duffey said.

"I think, really, I'm hoping that this is the beginning of a conversation, a long-lasting conversation or action plan," Wurster added.

Wurster, McGinty-Duffey and Martin County Library director Jenny Trushenski shared that once the success of the program is determined, the Martin County Library could be interested in hosting similar programs. Looking ahead, the Martin County Library strives to keep the 2026 Martin County Community Reads program relevant even after it concludes this fall through forthcoming events and offerings.

"Our goal, or little tagline for this, is to join our screen-free movement. A lot of our library programs are naturally screen-free because it's easy. Nobody wants to come to a library to watch a screen, but to do all kinds of activities," Wurster said. "I don't think it’s all or nothing. We've known technology for so long now. But there are baby steps along the way that you could take. I think as the library, what we want to offer is a way to replace your screen time. So, if you're feeling overwhelmed by cutting back, I would suggest the first step would be to come and fill your time, fill that time with things to do."

Books can be picked up during open hours, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays, at the Martin County Library, located at 110 North Park Street in Fairmont. For additional information, contact the Martin County Library at (507) 238-4207 or visit martincountylibrary.org.