The DeKalb Public Library is the proud recipient of The Big Read grant in the amount of $15,000. The Library, one of three organizations nation-wide, has received this national grant for nine consecutive years. A program of the National Endowment for the Arts, The Big Read broadens our understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book. Managed by Arts Midwest, this initiative offers grants to support innovative community reading programs designed around a single book. The Library is one of 75 nonprofit organizations throughout the nation to receive a grant to host a Big Read project between September 2015 and June 2016.
The Big Read of DeKalb County will focus on “In the Time of the Butterflies” by Julia Alvarez. Activities will take place March of 2016. “This Big Read will be a reinvention from years past. Holding it in a different month and focusing on an adult novel sets the tone that this Big Read will be unlike any other,” says Edith Craig, Communications Manager of the DeKalb Public Library. “We want to engage our community in a new way and this book will be the catalyst for that change.”
The Big Read provides communities nationwide with the opportunity to read, discuss, and celebrate one of 37 selections from U.S. and world literature. The 75 selected organizations will receive Big Read grants to promote and carry out community-based reading programs. The NEA has also developed high-quality, free-of-charge educational materials to supplement each title, including reader’s guides, teacher’s guides, and audio programming, all of which are available to the public on neabigread.org.
The 2015-2016 Big Read of DeKalb County will have a variety of themed events surrounding the novel, “In the Time of the Butterflies”. More information regarding the kick-off, keynote, and other fun activities will be announced late summer. The 2015-2016 Big Read steering committee includes representatives from the DeKalb Public Library, Northern Illinois University, Kishwaukee College, Altrusa International of DeKalb/Sycamore, and other community members. As in years’ past, Representative Bob Pritchard is our honorary chairperson. For more information about The Big Read please visit neabigread.org.
The DeKalb Public Library is open seven days a week and you can like us on Facebook for other library news and events.