Local organizations launch new community read 

Library, town, and youth council partner to promote civic engagement

Zionsville, April 1, 2025 -- Three local organizations are joining together to launch a new community read program for adults and teens. The Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library, the Town of Zionsville, and the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council are encouraging residents to read a timely book, The Soul of Civility: timeless principles to heal society and ourselves by author Alexandra Hudson. Students from the Youth Advisory Council will lead a live discussion with the Indianapolis author on Wednesday, April 30 from 6:30 – 8 PM at the HMMPL Zionsville Branch, 250 N. 5th Street. 

“Civility is at the heart of a productive and positive community,” said Mayor John Stehr. “Our Youth Advisory Council is hoping to open a conversation that will help lead to an even better Zionsville through increased respect and understanding of all points of view.” 

The Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council is comprised of 22 accomplished high school students from several local schools. Their role is to steer the event planning, fundraise to cover the costs of the event, and lead the open question and answer session during the author visit. 

“As a council, we’ve had the pleasure of hearing many different voices on the topic of civic engagement, especially as relevant as it is in today’s political climate,” said Sadie Choi, a junior at Zionsville High School. “We are very excited to lead this event and hope others in our community find it as valuable as we do!”

Copies of the book are available at the HMMPL Zionsville Branch or through their streaming services which are available free of charge with a Library Card. Hudson’s volume encourages civic engagement that allows individuals with differing views to civilly discuss issues and possible solutions. Reviewers have called it, “Unexpectedly compelling” and “Provocative, personal, and acutely relevant.” 

The author is an Indianapolis resident who is passionate about the way that ideas and storytelling change people’s lives. She is an author, popular speaker, and the founder of Civic Renaissance, a publication and intellectual community dedicated to beauty, goodness and truth composed of 50,000 intellectually curious people across the globe. 

“The Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library is thrilled to collaborate with the Town of Zionsville and the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council on this community read and discussion of The Soul of Civility,” said Kristin Shelley, HMMPL Executive Director. “Bringing people together to engage in thoughtful discussions about civility and civic engagement aligns perfectly with the Library’s mission. I am especially excited to see local students facilitating these conversations, demonstrating the power of young voices in shaping our community.” 

Interested individuals may register for the author event at: https://bit.ly/3Dj4iPF. Those in attendance will hear directly from Hudson, who was named the 2020 Novak Journalism Fellow, and a contributor to CBS, PBS, C-SPAN, Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, TIME Magazine, POLITICO Magazine, and Newsweek.

Refreshments will be provided by MYAC. 

About Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library 

HMMPL serves the residents of Whitestown, Zionsville and Worth Township with a diverse schedule of programs, special events, Bookmobile visits, and a broad collection of materials to borrow. Cardholders enjoy a variety of innovative services including access to free streaming services, two technology-filled MakerStudios, and the ability to easily borrow books from libraries throughout the state. For more information about HMMPL or how to get a library card, visit HMMPL.org. 

About the Town of Zionsville 

Zionsville is a vibrant community of over 31,000 residents in Boone County, Indiana, located just northwest of Indianapolis. Known for its historic village and brick-paved Main Street, award-winning public schools, and over 800 acres of parkland, Zionsville offers a unique blend of small-town charm and modern amenities.

Attached photo: Alexandra Hudson is the author of The Soul of Civility: timeless principles to heal society and ourselves. The book has been chosen for a community read program jointly offered by the Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library, the Town of Zionsville, and the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council. Hudson will discuss the book and answer audience questions during a live event at the Library April 30 at 6 PM. Participants will hear directly from Hudson, who was named the 2020 Novak Journalism Fellow, and contributes to CBS, PBS, C-SPAN, Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, TIME Magazine, POLITICO Magazine, and Newsweek.