Published: April 21, 2008 01:00 pm         

Libraries promote reading for enjoyment in Big Read

By Melanie Patterson

The North Jefferson News



Local libraries are doing their part to promote literacy through the Big Read.

An initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Big Read is a nation-wide push to promote literacy and to encourage children and adults to read for pleasure.

Harper Lee’s book “To Kill a Mockingbird,” published in 1960, is the focus of the Big Read. The event goes from April 1-30.

The Warrior Evelyn Thornton Public Library is taking part in the event and is involving the public.

At the Warrior Senior Center, the library showed the 1962 film “To Kill a Mockingbird,” with 34 senior citizens in attendance.

A group called Seasoned Performers also visited and did readings for senior citizens from “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Warrior head librarian Faye Pugh said the group did an outstanding job of acting out scenes from the book.

“What really made me feel good was the participation from the audience,” said Pugh. “It was one of those things I think children would have enjoyed, but it was really special for the people who can remember what it was like during that time frame.”

“To Kill a Mockingbird” was set in rural Alabama in the 1930s.

Warrior Big Read programs include visits every week from first-graders at Warrior Elementary School.

There have also been other programs for children and adults.

The Gardendale Martha Moore Public Library is also participating in The Big Read.

Vickie Morton, assistant director at the Gardendale Public Library, said one goal of the reading initiative is to encourage children and adults to read books just for pleasure.

“If our young children see adults reading, it gives them a love of reading,” she said. “Education improves everyone’s life.”

There are several displays at the library this month, including fashions, literature and pictures from the 1930s.

The library also had a two-day program featuring paper dolls from the 1930s.

“We wanted a program that would tell something about the setting of the 1930s,” said Morton. “We wanted to tie it all in together.” The library also showed the film “To Kill a Mockingbird” and is hosting other events.

Fultondale Public Library is also participating in The Big Read, including showing the film Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

To learn more about the event at area libraries, visit the Jefferson County Library Cooperative at www.jclc.org, which has links to Fultondale, Warrior and Gardendale’s public libraries.

Also visit the Big Read Web site at www.project

mockingbird.org.