The Cook Memorial Library in Tamworth is pleased to announce that during March 2010 we will be part of The Big Read: New Hampshire Reads To Kill a Mockingbird. This is a statewide project of the Center for the Book at the NH State Library which will include hundreds of “Big Read” events throughout the state.
The Cook Memorial Library is holding three separate events. The movie, To Kill A Mockingbird will be shown at 7:00 on Tuesday, March 16th. A book discussion facilitated by Chris Canfield will take place on Wednesday, March 24th at 7:00. On Wednesday, March 31st at 7:00 actor Richard Clark will portray Atticus Finch. He brings to life the tragedy and triumph of the novel. The courtroom drama, the poignant interactions between father and children, the harsh realities of bigotry and hatred blend to make this a compelling theatrical event.
The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts(NEA) that gives communities the opportunity to come together and read, discuss and celebrate one of 30 selections from U.S. and world literature. In New Hampshire, the program is organized by the Center for the Book at the New Hampshire State Library, which received a grant to coordinate the statewide effort. The Center for the Book chose to focus on To Kill a Mockingbird because of its relevant themes of standing up for what is right, relationships between the races, courage, justice and more.
The Center for the Book at the New Hampshire State Library is one of 268 nonprofits nationwide—including libraries, municipalities and arts, culture and science organizations—to receive a grant to host a Big Read project in this grant round. In 2007, its program, The Big Read: New Hampshire Reads Fahrenheit 451, was only one of two statewide Big Read programs focusing on a single book.
The Center for the Book at the New Hampshire State Library was established in 2003 to celebrate and promote reading, books, literacy and the literary heritage of New Hampshire, and to highlight the role that reading and libraries play in enriching the lives of the people of the Granite State. It is an affiliate of the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress.
The NEA, which designed The Big Read as a way to restore reading to the center of American culture, presents the program in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and in cooperation with Arts Midwest. Support for the Big Read is provided by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation. Transportation for The Big Read is provided by Ford.