The Big Read: Alabama Reads

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

About the Big Read

The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest designed to revitalize the role of literature in American culture and bring the transformative power of literature into the lives of its citizens. 

Nine Regions, or 213 public libraries, in Alabama received grants to implement the state's first Big Read Project. 

The Alabama Statewide Committee selected The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain for the first statewide Big Read because it is a title that everyone has at least heard about, if not read. Also, it is on many school reading lists with appeal for all ages. And for those who have already read it, we encourage them to "Read it Again!" It has a small town theme that will appeal to many of the people in Alabama which makes it the perfect match for the Alabama Tourism initiative for 2010 Year of the Alabama Small Town & Downtown.

 For more information about the National Endowment for the Arts Big Read Project check out their website at www.neabigread.org.

As part of Alabama Reads, we're asking patrons to tell us a little more about themselves and their participation. Your feedback will help us understand who's taking part in The Big Read: Alabama Reads; how valuable the materials and events are, and how the program could be improved. This survey should take less than 10 minutes of your time. There will be printed version of the survey at each program, or you can fill out the survey online.

Big Read Events at Jacksonville Public Library

  • January 21st at 2pm: Library sponsored Book Talk about The Adventures of Tom Sawyer at the First United Methodist Church. Book and study clubs, as well as the general public, are invited to this brief introduction to the novel.

 

  • February 5th at 12pm - 12:30pm: Library sponsored Book Talk The Adventures of Tom Sawyer at the Jacksonville Senior Center. This event is not open to the public.

 

  • February 11th at 5pm - 7pm: The Big Read Kick Off Event! “A Visit with Mark Twain” featuring Jim Aycock as the author at the First United Methodist Church McWhorter Center.

 

  • February 17th at 4:45pm: Special Afterschool Tom Sawyer storytime at Kitty Stone Elementary School. This event is not open to the public.

 

  • February 18th at 5pm - 6pm: Class Act Performers (home school students) present The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, a play for all ages at the First United Methodist Church McWhorter Center.

 

  • February 23rd at 5pm - 6pm: Library sponsored Book Discussion of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Everyone is invited to come and join the discussion about the novel at the Jacksonville Community Center.

 

  • February 25th at 5:30 pm - 6:30pm: Delores Hydock discusses “Dead Cats & Spunk Water: Superstitions in the Writings of Mark Twain” for ages 7 and up at the First United Methodist Church McWhorter Center.

 

  • March 9th at 5pm - 6pm: Class Act Performers present The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, a play for all ages at the First United Methodist Church McWhorter Center.

 

  • March 11th at 5:30pm - 7pm: Library sponsored Cave Exhibit/Animal Program for elementary/middle school aged children at the Anniston Museum of Natural History.

 

  • March 12th at 5pm -7pm: Bring friends and family with you to the Disney film Tom and Huck (featuring Jim Aycock and filmed in Alabama!) at the First United Methodist Church McWhorter Center.  

 

  • March 18th at 2pm - 3pm: Class Act Performers present The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, a play for all ages at the First United Methodist Church McWhorter Center.

 

  • March 22nd at 6pm - 7pm: Dr. Harvey Jackson presents “The World of Tom Sawyer” at JSU’s Houston Cole Library, 11th floor.

 

  • March 25th at 10am - 11am: Special Preschooler’s Storytime - Tom Sawyer stories at the library. This event has been cancelled. .

 

  • March 25th at 4pm -6pm: The library’s 13th Annual American Girl: “Addy’s Freedom Party” at the Jacksonville Community Center. This is an “invitation only” event for girls in the 2nd grade & up (aged 7 & up) at the library. Space is limited, so ask Ms. Kim to get your invitation.

 

  • March 27th at 11am - 3pm: “Old Fashioned Family Fun Day” at Germania Springs. Bring a sack lunch (drinks provided) and enjoy sack races, jumping frog contest, entertainers, Tom & Becky costume contest and more!! In case of inclement weather, please call the library.

 

For more information about the Big Read: Alabama Reads check out the website at

www.AlabamaReads.org.

 

*All events that are scheduled at the library may be held at the First United Methodist Church or the Jacksonville Community Center depending on the availability of the library meeting room. The information will be updated as soon as location changes are known, but feel free to contact the library with questions about these events.
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