Sixteen area libraries throughout Rock, Walworth and Jefferson County will formally kick-off the area’s second Big Read literacy project on Thursday April 1. The Hedberg Library in Janesville will host a special reception from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm, that will include music by Felipe Rodriguez, Jr., free food, and chances to win special give-aways. Area libraries (including the Milton Public Library), as well as schools, the UW-Whitewater’s Young Auditorium and non-profit groups have partnered together for a month long series of events to promote the benefits of life-long reading. Activities will revolve around Sun, Stone, and Shadows: 20 Great Mexican Short Stories. Events throughout the three county area will be taking place that will offer free activities from art workshops, author talks, music, dance, and numerous book club discussions. From Elkhorn to Fort Atkinson, Lake Geneva to Watertown, community members of all ages will be able to find free activities to enjoy!The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment of the Arts (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 and in cooperation with Arts Midwest Additional Sponsorship Support provided by American Family Insurance and Fort HealthCare. Media sponsors are the Janesville Gazette and the Jefferson County Daily Union.
For information on Milton's involvement and our local programming, contact the Milton Public Library at 868-7462 or e-mail Library Director Lisa Brooks at brooks.lisa@als.lib.wi.us.
More information on the overall Big Read program is available by contacting Ben Strand at UW- Whitewater’s Young Auditorium: Phone: 262-472-6224, Email: strandb@uww.edu. Be sure to check out the Big Read website at http://youngauditorium.wordpress.com/.
