Yhteisluetut

Yhteisluetut, literally "jointly read texts," is a Finnish concept describing activities in which members of a community read the same book or set of texts and participate in discussions or related events. The term is used especially by libraries, schools, municipal cultural services and non-profit organizations as a way to promote literacy, critical thinking and social interaction.

Typical implementations include seasonal campaigns choosing a single title or a thematic set of works, accompanied by public readings, author talks, book clubs, classroom discussions, and online forums. Libraries and partner organizations often provide reading guides, discussion questions and material on themes such as identity, democracy or culture. The program may run over several weeks or months and culminate in a shared event or festival.

Participation is intended to be inclusive, reaching readers of different ages and backgrounds. In schools, yhteisluetut may align with curriculum goals; in libraries, they form part of community outreach and lifelong learning. The format can vary from a single title read aloud in classrooms to broader campaigns that connect multiple texts and activities around a common theme.

Yhteisluutut is part of a broader tradition of shared reading found in several countries. In Finnish, there is often emphasis on accessibility and discussion, and the term can refer to both a single jointly read book (yhteisluettu kirja) and a broader set of texts read across a programme (yhteisluetut tekstit).

See also: community reading, book club, public-library program, reading campaign.