Frequently Asked Questions

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No, Grassroots Readers is not a book club. Grassroots Readers is a new way to connect with others about reading that is informal, organic, and not an ongoing commitment. It’s an opportunity to speak with a range of people in brief, unplanned conversations about the book you're reading or to share recommendations. DCGR gives space for chance and impromptu connections within a beautiful public green space. 

See more information below to further describe: 

Book club is: 

• Same book
• Same people
• Same time

Grassroots Readers is:

• Different books
• Different people
• Different times 

It's a place-based project where the only thing that is the same is the place. It’s centered on connecting over a shared appreciation for how people use a particular place, in this case reading in a park

You don’t - No need to sign up or give any information, all you need is a bookmark. 

Once you have a bookmark, feel free to put it in view when you are reading at the park and are open to having a brief chat. We know and celebrate that people read in the park for many different reasons - sometimes you may want to deeply dive into your book and enjoy reading as time of solitude so this gives space for that too. You can decide if and when you’d like to have your bookmark in view. 

They are brief conversations – could be a quick smile and a question about the book the fellow park reader is reading to a few minute chat to learn more and share recommendations. It’s meant to be a friendly and simple way to briefly connect 

Everyone is welcome to participate! Grassroots Readers is open and inclusive for all who enjoy reading in the park.

We’re working on creating stickers for e-readers, but in the meantime feel free to have the bookmark next to you / your e-reader 

At this time, there are no social media pages for DCGR. It is exclusively an in-person initiative, but readers are welcome to use a hashtag if interested (#DCGR) 

DC Public Library Resources: 

• Sign up to get a library card
• Check out their events calendar (includes book clubs, author talks, and much more)

Malcolm X/Meridian Hill Park Resources:  

• Washington Parks & People hosts a volunteer park revitalization event in the park every 3rd Saturday of the month from 10am-1pm

The first chapter is in DC and we’re open to growing to other parks nearby and around the world! We have a vision to support a local and global movement where park readers in cities and towns around the world connect about their shared love of reading in public green spaces. At this point, given limited capacity we aren’t ready to act on this yet but stay tuned - when ready we will include an interest form here!