Bartlett library gets $2,500 grant

The Bartlett Public Library has received a $2,500 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to host The Big Read in the Bartlett community. It is one of 208 libraries, municipalities and arts, culture, higher education and science organizations to received the grant.

The Big Read gives communities the opportunity to come together to read, discuss and celebrate one of 23 selections from American and world literature.

"National Endowment for the Arts studies show a critical decline in the number of Americans reading literature such as novels, short stories and poetry, especially among teens and young adults," said Todd Morning, director of the Bartlett Public Library. "Bartlett has adopted 'The Call of the Wild' by Jack London, an action-packed adventure of Buck the dog during the Yukon gold rush, for its Big Read project. By encouraging all are residents to 'get on the same page' we hope in some small way to help restore reading to its essential place in our homes and schools."

Community partners include Arts in Bartlett, the local arts council; The Bartlett Park District; Bartlett Historical Society; and Character Counts! Some of the tentative activities planned during Bartlett's Big Read held from Feb. 6 through March 15, 2009, include a kickoff party in the library, book discussions throughout the village, a blog for online discussions, art and photo exhibits and workshops, music performances, film, dog sledding demonstrations, wolf education, programs on care of big and working dogs and more. The library will also distribute free-of-charge educational materials to supplement the book, including reader's teacher's and audio guides.

The National Endowment for the Arts presents The Big Read in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and in cooperation with Arts Midwest.

For information, visit neabigread.org.