PRESS RELEASE: The Jefferson-Madison Regional Library–– The Jefferson-Madison Regional Libraryhas been selected by the National Endowment for the Arts as one of only 75 not-for-profits to receive a $5,000 grant to participate in THE BIG READ. The book selected by JMRL is Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya. Programming for THE BIG READ will be held during March 2012.
This will be the 6th year that the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library has participated in THE BIG READ. Past books that have been read as part of this program are The Great Gatsby, To Kill a Mockingbird, Their Eyes Were Watching God, A Lesson Before Dying and The Maltese Falcon. JMRL will be hosting free community programs and discussions about the book and other interesting programs at all branch libraries and other locations throughout the region. Program brochures and ReaderÂ\’s Guides will be available at the end of January at all branch libraries.
Grants from the NEA are to host a BIG READ project between September 2011 and June 2012. THE BIG READ brings communities together to read, discuss, and celebrate selections from United States and world literature. The National Endowment for the Arts launched THE BIG READ after a survey in 2004 showed a decline in the reading of literature. Less than half of American adults read literature, according to the report. Since the 2006 pilot program with ten participating organizations, the NEA, in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and in cooperation with Arts Midwest, has given more than 800 grants to support local BIG READ projects.