Big Read in motion

“The act of reading is an indispensable part of what makes us human,” said Susan Raines at Monday’s Big Read kick-off at the Iola courthouse.
Yet District Judge Daniel Creitz said that reading among Americans has declined 28 percent since 1982, the largest decline being young adults.
That, Iola Commissioner Dick Works said, is why Iola participates in the Big Read, a National Endowment for the Arts initiative.
“This project has as its expressed goal the purpose of revitalizing the role of reading in Allen County and its communities through the use of outstanding American literature, specifically the book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.”
Through group discussions, social events adn theater performances, the Big Read aims to unite a community in discussion of a single book. Iola’s Big Read commitee “purchased over 1,000 copies of the regular paperback,” which will be distributed free of charge, said Raines. In addition, all area libraries (including school libraries) have received copies of To Kill a Mockingbird in audio book, large print and spanish formats, as well the companion books “I am Scout” and “The Story Behind to Kill a Mockingbird.”
In addition, many area high school, middle school and college English and History classes are going to focus lessons on the book this month.
A full schedule of area events can be found at http://www.neabigread.org and clicking on the communities link, or check the calendar listing in the Register.