Northeastern State University to deliver “The Big Read”

Northeastern State University to deliver The Big Read

-Special coverage by NSU Intern Laura Butler

TAHLEQUAHThis fall, NSU will bring something big to its campuses and surrounding communities. The Big Read is an outreach program aimed at promoting an appreciation of literature. The Big Read involves guest speakers, a book distribution and other events to get northeastern Oklahoma reading.

We are excited and truly blessed to be able to offer this to the communities in Northeastern Oklahoma, said NSU Broken Arrow Library Director Tom Messner.

Northeastern States involvement with The Big Read came when Messner applied for and received a $20,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. He felt that the grant supported the mission, vision and values of the university. According to Messner, the community aspect of project will engage library patrons of all agesfrom young children and university students to senior citizens.

NSU is all about education, Messner said. If we are able to positively impact literary reading in Northeastern Oklahoma, statistics show that patrons in the whole region will be more active and more likely to attend a university.

More than 30 programs are planned as part of The Big Read. These events include guest speakers, film screenings, book and reading guide distributions, book discussions and student writing and video production contests.

Events will begin in late September and continue throughout the month of October. Guest speakers include author Chris Crutcher, who will be speaking at each of the three NSU campuses in early October.

The Big Read will kick off with events featuring Ray Bradburys novel Fahrenheit 451. Keynote speaker at each event will discuss the themes within Fahrenheit 451, such as how censorship impacts our society.

It does discuss the issue of banned books which I feel strongly about, Assistant Professor of Library Services Sarah Brick Archer said. It will be a good reminder to people that we don't want to ban books. It should start an intellectual conversation, and thats what a good book should do. Thats part of what The Big Read is all about.

Fahrenheit 451 was selected as the featured title for The Big Read from 30 books. The book chosen because it was a good fit for the communities and libraries.

We consulted with a number of participants in public schools and libraries and talked it over with librarians and decided which book would be best, Messner said. This seemed like a perfect fit because we wanted tie in with the ALA banned book week in September.

1,500 free copies Fahrenheit 451 will be given away along with thousands of study guides, teachers guides and bookmarks. There will also be a showing of the movie version of Fahrenheit 451.

For more information, visit The Big Read at www.neabigread.org.

6/26/2009

Published: 2009-06-26 00:00:00