Cuyahoga County, Ohio — This spring, local libraries and partners are coming together to host BITE INTO BOOKS, a celebration of food, memory and community across Cuyahoga County.
Led by Heights Libraries through an NEA Big Read grant supported by Arts Midwest, the initiative builds community through engagement with a shared text. This year’s selection, Bite by Bite: Nourishments & Jamborees, features author and poet Aimee Nezhukumatathil reflecting on 40 foods that have shaped her life.
“People are craving connection right now,” says Kaela Sweeney, Strategic Projects Manager for Heights Libraries. “Aimee’s short essays in Bite by Bite highlight the many ways that food connects us—to our identities, loved ones, communities and the natural world. It’s an accessible entry point for a lot of powerful conversations.”
The celebration kicks off at the historic West Side Market on Saturday, Feb. 28 with giveaways of Bite by Bite and other food-forward reads for all ages. Throughout the spring, seven other public library systems and various partners will host dozens of free events, circulate extra copies of the books and collect community food stories.
Nezhukumatathil will visit later in the spring for two special events: a free tasting and writing workshop Wednesday, April 29, at Cleveland Public Library’s Main Branch, followed by a forum discussion the next morning, Thursday, April 30, with the City Club of Cleveland.
Sweeney hopes the initiative leaves participants well-nourished long after it ends: “Each partner brings something unique to the table. We’re excited to give residents a chance to sample and appreciate the many stories, resources, spaces and experiences their public libraries have to offer.”
Join the feast at cuyahogareads.org.
— Written by Macin Sheeder of Heights Libraries.
Heights Libraries is leading the 2026 Cuyahoga County NEA Big Read, “BITE INTO BOOKS,” in partnership with Cleveland Public Library, Cuyahoga County Public Library, East Cleveland Public Library, Euclid Public Library, Rocky River Public Library, Shaker Library, Westlake Porter Public Library, and other community partners. Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.