What is The Big Read?

  The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts, in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and in cooperation with Arts Midwest. It is designed to revitalize the role of literary reading in American popular culture. Reading at Risk: A Survey of Literary Reading in America, a 2004 NEA report, identified a critical decline in reading for pleasure among American adults. The Big Read aims to address this issue directly by providing citizens with the opportunity to read and discuss a single book within their communities.

  The Big Read is designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. Since the program’s launch in 2006, the NEA has funded more than 300 Big Read programs across the country.

  “We want to get the entire community involved in promoting reading throughout the month of April,” said Southeast Steuben County Library Director Pauline Emery. "During the month of April, we will pull out all the stops to encourage community members to read To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. With the support of local organizations and businesses we have planned a variety of events in celebration of this engaging classic, starting with an all-day Big Read kickoff at the Library on April 3.
  "Lee’s novel is rich in insights and contains many poignant themes related to growing up in a climate of racial tension and hidden fears. Bearing that in mind, we asked area agencies to host programs that celebrate diversity and tolerance," Emery said.

  "The Corning-Painted Post Area School District is incredibly excited to be working with the library and its partners on The Big Read," said district Superintendent Michael Ginalski.

  "Because this book is something all of our eighth graders read, it offers a personal approach for our students from grade 8 up; but, the underlying messages of the novel are applicable to all of our students. By selecting To Kill a Mockingbird for our Big Read book, we have the opportunity to raise awareness about the harms of prejudice in society, as well as turn people on to the joys of reading."
 

  For more information about The Big Read and To Kill a Mockingbird, visit the NEA Big Read website. Click on the link below.