The City of Clermont is joining Cooper Memorial Library to urge residents to learn more about the city’s history by reading the new book, “Clermont: From Gem of the Hills to Choice of Champions,” during the month of January. To reinforce the importance of local history, the library is hosting daytime and evening sessions for book-club-style discussions. The two-part sessions, led by author and historian Doris Bloodsworth, are free but do require signing up due to space limitations.

Clermont History, Part 1 will be held Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 6:30 p.m. or Friday, Jan. 17, at 12 noon, Part 2 will be held Wednesday, Jan. 22, at 6:30 p.m., or Friday, Jan. 24, at 12 noon. All sessions will be held on the second floor of Cooper Memorial Library at 2525 Oakley Seaver Drive.

People who want to participate in this community-wide book reading and history discussion can register at www.ClermontBook.com.

The City of Clermont plans to issue a proclamation supporting “Clermont Reads History Month” at the City Council’s Jan. 14 meeting.

Caryl Harris, a retired librarian and one of the book’s co-authors, said the community-wide book reading program has been a hit in other cities.

“The idea of a community reading one book and discussing it originated in 1998,” Harris said. “The program is a wonderful way to bring a community together by sharing a reading experience. It’s a great conversation starter.”

Bloodsworth said that the sessions will incorporate the new Clermont book and also will include other sources, such as the 1920s film of Clermont discovered during the research of the book. “Clermont – From Gem of the Hills to Choice of Champions” is a 400-page history of Lake County’s largest city, and the book includes hundreds of rare images.

For more information about the series or the book, visit www.ClermontBook.com or call 407-797-9393. The book can be purchased at the website or in person at Cooper Memorial Library, Clermont City Hall, Citrus Tower or Lakeridge Winery. Proceeds from the book support programs at Cooper Memorial Library.