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| This year's Big Read project will focus on “Call of the Wild” by Jack London. |
The Pomona Big Read Committee has received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to host The Big Read in Pomona. The Pomona Public Library is one of 269 nonprofits — including arts, culture, and science organizations; libraries; and municipalities — to receive a grant to host a Big Read project between September 2009 and June 2010. The Big Read gives communities the opportunity to come together to read, discuss and celebrate one of 30 selections from U.S. and world literature.
The Big Read in Pomona will focus on “Call of the Wild” by Jack London. Activities for all ages will take place in October and November. Readers guides and activity calendars will be distributed at the L.A. County Fair during Pomona Community Day on Friday, Sept. 11, followed by a Big Read/Library entry in the Pomona parade later that day.
Jonnie Owens, director of community outreach for the College of Letters, Arts & Social Sciences, has served as the lead on the grant during the last two years. She says she is thrilled that the Pomona Public Library agreed to take the lead this year. “We are fortunate to have a community that cares deeply about culture, community and literacy, and our community partners look forward to working together this year in another effective partnership to benefit families and youth in Pomona with the Big Read.”
Community-based activities may include read-a-thons, book discussions, lectures, movie screenings and performing arts events.
The Big Read is an initiative of the NEA designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The NEA presents The Big Read in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) 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.
The latest Big Read grantees represent 44 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Since 2006, when the pilot program involved 10 organizations, the NEA has given more than 800 grants to support local Big Read projects.
For more information about The Big Read, visit www.neabigread.org.