Golden Isles Arts and Humanities Association (GIAHA), in partnership with the Brunswick-Glynn County Library and the Glynn County School System, is proud to have been chosen once again to participate in this nationwide project. The Big
Read, launched nationally in 2006 by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and Arts Midwest, encourages literary reading by asking communities to come together to read and discuss a single book. Modeled on successful "one book, one community" programs, the Big Read was created to address the national decline in literary reading as documented in the NEA's 2004 landmark survey “Reading at Risk: A Survey of Literary Reading in America.” The survey showed that less than half the American adult population now reads literature.
For The Big Read in Brunswick and the Golden Isles in 2007,
we chose to focus on Ray Bradbury's acclaimed 1953 novel Fahrenheit 451. Thanks to overwhelming response from the community, we are proud to be a part of this exciting initiative again. The next Big Read takes place between January 5 and February 17, 2009 and will focus on Harper Lee's warm and wise coming-of-age classic, To Kill a Mockingbird, the choice of a large majority of voters who were asked to select the next book for The Big Read in Brunswick and the Golden Isles. (Read more about the book here.)
Check back to this page in the coming months for a full schedule of the wide range of fun, stimulating, community-building activities scheduled for this year's program, including book discussions, exhibits, special public events, readings, films, and more.
If you would like to find out how you can be a vital part of this initiative, or for more information on any of the events, please contact us via email or by phone (912-262-6934)
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.
The Big Read in Brunswick and the Golden Isles is also also made possible by support from
the Bear Creek Fund, Qantum Communications, and the Brunswick News.
Call for Artists! The Big Read Exhibit January 9-31, 2009
Take part in our community-wide reading initiative by creating a work of art for this unique exhibit.
Complete info and entry form here
While they last!
Free copies of To Kill a Mockingbird are available to the public,
plus Readers Guides (in English & Spanish), Audio Programs, Bookmarks, Magnets
Available beginning December 1
at Ritz Theatre, Brunswick Library, St. Simons Library