Cayuga Reads, a collaborative effort of library staff and educators in Cayuga County, began in 2006. That year, the book selection was Nickel and Dimed: on (not) getting by in America by Barbara Ehrenreich. In 2007, the book selection was The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. In 2008, the book selected was The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls.

In 2009, the Cayuga Reads committee chose Pay It Forward by Catherine Ryan Hyde.

The Cayuga Reads committee partnered with Success by 6 to include a companion book for young children.  In October 2009, educators at schools throughout Cayuga County read the book The Kindness Quilt by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace to children.