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Hey everybody!

 

Just to let you know, Worcester County, Maryland received a grant for The Big Read!  We are really excited.  I thought this would be a great forum to let some of our fellow Maryland Librarians in on the news.  Here is a press release we recently put in the Barcode, a monthly newsletter produced by The Worcester County Library's Technical Services Staff:

 

 

The Big Read, It’s a Big Deal!
 
We did it! Worcester County Library was the recipient of one of 100 grant awards in the nation to conduct a community wide reading initiative called “The Big Read”. What is that you might ask? “The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and Arts Midwest, designed to revitalize the role of literature in American popular culture and bring the transformative power of literature into the lives of its citizens.” (whew!) Throughout the month of October, 2007, there will only be 100 communities in the United States that will be participating in this event and we are lucky enough to be one of them!
 
The chosen book for our Big Read is Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. It is a moving, well written book that touches on so many aspects of what it means to be a human being. The book will be made available, for free, to the whole community. Honor books will be offered in all branches as well as book stores, supermarkets, community centers and schools. Scholarship opportunities will also be available through three, $1,000 scholarships which will be awarded to the junior and senior students who best represent and understand the core principles of the The Big Read mission.
 
Worcester County Library, recipient of the grant, will share resources with Wicomico and Somerset Counties.  Lisa Harrison will serve as project director and will coordinate the Big Read in our area. Their Eyes Were Watching God is set in the 1920s, so several activities including book discussions, movie viewings, and jazz band performances will be designed to embrace the time period of the novel. These events will be held at every branch in Worcester, Wicomico and Somerset Counties and they will also be made available through programs to senior centers, nursing homes and local correctional facilities. 
 
The Big Read kicks off in style with a 1920s fashion show, held at Stephen Decatur High School on September, 25th at 6 p.m.   Dr. Clara Smalls, History Professor at Salisbury State University,  will perform as Zora Neale Hurston and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Jazz Band will thrill us with their fine jazz stylings. If that doesn’t set the mood for our book, nothing will! An insert with the full schedule of events will be included in the Fall Calendar of Special Events. So check out the events in your area, get involved, and get jazzed for the Big Read!
 
If you are out our way in October, check out one of our Big Read Events.  We would love to have you!!  We would also love to hear from any of the other libraries who will be participating in The Big Read.  Let us know what's happening in your community! 
 
-Meg
 
 

 

 

 

It's official--So MD was awarded a Big Reads grant which CSM applied for on behalf of the many participating partners--3 county libraries, school systems, various agencies and organizations.  So. MD will be reading A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines between Feb 16 -Mar 31.  Dates are approximate. 

 

 

The Southern Maryland Big Read*… in St. Mary’s County

 

A regional celebration of the power of reading and thoughtful dialogues

 

 

 

 

Talking Points:

  • There has been a decline in literary reading over the past 20 years.  The Big Read is an effort to get as many people reading & discussing the same book at the same time to spark an interest in reading and thoughtful dialogues.  All of Southern Maryland is focusing on the book, A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines.  
  • Become part of this Big Read.  Read the book … listen to it … watch the film ….and then discuss it!  Attend any of the free activities planned around the book.
  • Tell your neighbor and friends and invite them to join in the Big Read.

 

 

 

Planned events:

 

 

 

 

Big Read Opening Luncheon

 

Tuesday, Feb 12, 12:30 pm, Leonardtown Library.  For BOCC and partners.

 

 

 

Big Read Kick-off

 

Tuesday, February 1, 1:15 pm, Leonardtown Library.    Janice Walthour will be reading excerpts from the book.

 

 

 

Library-sponsored Book Discussions:

 

Monday, March 3, 7:00 pm, Charlotte Hall Library

Monday, March 10, 6:00 pm, Lexington Park Library

Thursday, March 20, 7:00 pm, Leonardtown Library

 

 

 

Movie Showings:

 

Friday, March 14, 3:00 pm, Lexington Park Library

Friday, March 14, 6:30 pm, Charlotte Hall Library

Tuesday, March 18, 6:30 pm, Leonardtown Library

The film based on the novel, A Lesson Before Dying.

 

 

 

Film Discussion

 

Tuesday, March 24, 7:00 pm, Leonardtown Library

Discussion led by Dr. Robin Bates, St. Mary’s College English Professor.  Movie will not be shown.

 

 

 

Building Houses with Chicken Legs: Black Women, Food and Power

 

Tuesday, April 1, 7:00 pm, Lexington Park Library

In the book, there are several references to fried chicken.  Miss Emma brings fried chicken to Jefferson in jail saying “I knowed how much you like my fried chicken.”  Dr. Psyche Williams-Forson, Asst. Professor of American Studies at University of Maryland, will examine the complex role of the chicken in African American life, paying special attention to the connection between chickens and African American women.  Program funded by the Maryland Humanities Council.  Free. 

 

 

Big Read Performance

 

Saturday, April 5, 7:30 pm, College of Southern Maryland, Leonardtown Campus, Building A, Auditorium.

Charles County Arts Alliance will present a costumed, dramatic staged reading of the play based on the novel.  Free. 

 

 

 

Poetry Open Mic Night

 

Monday, April 28, 6-8 pm, Lexington Park Library

Read your poem you wrote based on your reactions to this book.  Poem does not need to be entered in the Big Read Poetry Contest to be read.  Or just come and listen. 

 

 

 

Big Read Partners

 

The College of Southern Maryland offers The Big Read in Southern Maryland through the support and generosity of the following partners

Big Read Contests

 

Art Contest

 

Deadline for submission:  March 22

High school students can design the front book cover for A Lesson Before Dying.  The book cover should be no bigger than 11”x14” and can be in any medium of choice.  Entries will be displayed and the winners announced at the performance of the play on April 5, College of Southern Maryland Leonardtown Campus Auditorium.

 

 

 

Essay/Poetry Contest:  CSM has not finalized these yet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest.  College of Southern Maryland received a Big Read grant on behalf of Southern Maryland. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 hey, did you guys have a big turnout for your BIG READ functions?  our patrons checked out the book and read it, but we had only a handful, if any show up to the book disscussions and movie discussions.  and we have yet to see if they will come the staged reading or the poetry night.  do you have any ideas on how to get them to come the activites ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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