One County, One Book 2025
Our 2025 community-wide reading initiative encouraging the community to read and engage with a single book!
Join us in reading the thought-provoking book “Differ We Must: How Lincoln Succeeded in a Divided America” by journalist and NPR host Steve Inskeep.
This initiative aimed to unite people of all ages and backgrounds through programs, book clubs, and a community discussion with the author himself.
Sold Out!
2025 McMurtry Lecture featuring Steve Inskeep
Author, Journalist, and Host of NPR's Morning Edition
October 9, 2025
7 p.m. | Allen County Public Library (900 Library Plaza)
Watch the recorded 2025 McMurtry Lecture
Alternate Viewing Options for Non-Ticket Holders
Theater Standby
Guests who do not have tickets can choose to wait in the Standby Line which opens at 6:30 PM. At 6:50, those in Standby will be released to the Theater to fill remaining seats. There is no guarantee that a Theater seat will be available for guests in Standby.
Overflow Seating
An Overflow Room, which opens at 6:30 PM, is available in Meeting Rooms A/B/C for guests who do not have tickets. This is provided on a first-come/first-served basis and doors will open at 6:30 p.m. The Overflow Room will feature a live feed of the event.
Watch Parties
Guests joined us at watch parties at five ACPL branches. They gathered with friends and fellow readers to enjoy the program together as it streamed live from the Main Library.
Space was limited, so attendees were encouraged to register in advance.
Branch Locations That Hosted Watch Parties:
Georgetown Branch – 6600 East State Blvd, Fort Wayne
Hessen Cassel Branch – 3030 East Paulding Rd, Fort Wayne
Pontiac Branch – 2215 South Hanna St, Fort Wayne
Tecumseh Branch – 1411 East State Blvd, Fort Wayne
Waynedale Branch – 2200 Lower Huntington Rd, Fort Wayne
Watch the 2025 McMurtry Lecture featuring Steve Inskeep
Visit acpl.info/streamocob to watch the recorded lecture, available until Oct 9, 2026.
Presented by the Friends of the Lincoln Collection, the ACPL Foundation, and the ACPL Friends of the Library.
Get involved now!
The ACPL encourages individuals, educators, book clubs, social groups, faith groups, and more to consider the book for upcoming curricula, lessons, and book clubs. The library has added copies to its catalog (digital and physical) for patrons.
Differ We Must : How Lincoln Succeeded in a Divided America
By Steve Inskeep
From journalist and historian Steve Inskeep, a compelling and nuanced exploration of the political acumen of Abraham Lincoln via sixteen encounters before and during his presidency, bringing to light not only the strategy of a great politician who inherited a country divided, but lessons for our own disorderly present.