“The Birth of Loud” is the 2026 One Book, One Community Title
As our nation proudly celebrates its 250th anniversary this year, area libraries are thrilled to announce Ian S. Port’s “The Birth of Loud” as this year’s One Book, One Community title. Now in its 15th year, the community reading program is organized through a collaborative partnership of the Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo public libraries, Concordia College’s Carl B. Ylvisaker Library, Minnesota State University Moorhead’s Livingston Lord Library, North Dakota State University Libraries, the Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County and the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra.
“The Birth of Loud” explores American innovation through the invention of the electric guitar and its impact on American music and the changes brought about by amplified music. The story follows, Leo Fender, a radio repairman, and Les Paul, a musician, as they compete to design the ultimate electric guitar, with Fender focusing on affordability and Paul on a more refined instrument. Their rivalry would lead to instruments that revolutionized post-WWII music, from the early days of rockabilly to the psychedelic era. Their designs were adopted by legendary musicians like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and The Beatles.
Ian S. Port is an award-winning writer and music critic whose work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Village Voice, The Threepenny Review, and The Believer, among others. He is the former music editor of the San Francisco Weekly. A California native and lifelong guitar player, he splits his time between Northern California and Brooklyn, New York.
This year’s One Book, One Community reading program launches in September and features a variety of related events including music performances, discussions, presentations and films. The Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra, in celebration of this year’s focus on music, will offer complimentary tickets to library cardholders for the 2026-2027 Masterworks Concert Series. Cardholders can present their library card at the box office for one ticket voucher while supplies last that can be redeemed for up to two adult tickets and two student tickets once per season.
An author visit with Ian S. Port is set for Thursday, Oct. 22, at the newly renovated Weld Hall on the campus of Minnesota State University Moorhead. Additional details about the author visit will be announced at a later date.
Copies of the book will be available for checkout in several formats, including ebook and eaudiobook, at each of the participating libraries. For book club kits, contact Lori West at LWest@fargolibrary.org. For event details and resources, visit any participating library’s website or 1book1community.org after August 1.
The One Book, One Community reading program centers on the community-wide reading of a single book and is dedicated to creating a shared conversation along with a range of related events and activities for residents of all ages.
All One Book, One Community events are free and open to the public.
This program is made possible in part with support from Minnesota State University Moorhead, Concordia Cultural Events, Friends of the Fargo Public Library, Friends of the West Fargo Public Library, Friends of the Moorhead Library and Moorhead Community Education.
1 Book, 1 Community 