THE BIG READ

Get Ready to Read Bridgeport!!!

      

Beginning in March, copies of To Kill a Mockingbird

will be given out FREE!!

We have over 1000 copies waiting to be picked up and read!! If you are interested in participating in the Big Read visit one of our book distribution sites. In addition to the book, participants will receive a Calendar of Events , a Reading Guide and other Big Read related items.

Book Distribution Site Locations

Bridgeport Calendar of Events

The City of Bridgeport, part of the Southwestern Connecticut Big Read Collaborative, has announced its Calendar of Events. Beginning in March these programs will center around the themes of To Kill a Mockingbird and unless otherwise noted are free and open to the public.

Calendar of Events

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Calendar of Events in Word

The Greater Bridgeport Area Foundation Supports The Big Read

The Greater Bridgeport Area Foundation on January 18, 2007 announced it would support the Big Read Collaborative with a $20,000 grant. This is wonderful news! The extra funding allows for more distribution of free  copies of To Kill a Mockingbird and additional quality programming.

Connecticut Post Articles

The Connecticut Post has featured two articles relating to the Big Read. Be on the lookout for more in the media as we get closer to launching the Big Read Program!

·       November 26, 2006

·       January 26, 2007

Shays Holds Big Read Press Conference

   Congressman Christopher Shays held a press conference on Thursday, November 2nd, 2006 at 1:45 p.m. at Norwalk City Hall to announce the Big Read award given to the cities of Bridgeport, Norwalk, Stamford and Shelton.  Several key people attended the conference including mayors, librarians, grant writers, and city officials from these participating cities. On this same day The Stamford Advocate gave frontpage coverage on the Big Read award.

The Stamford Advocate November 2, 2006 

Are You Ready For "The Big Read?!"

Four key cities in Southwestern Connecticut, Bridgeport, Norwalk, Stamford and Shelton have created a unique regional approach to the “The Big Read, ”an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest that is designed to restore reading to the center of American culture.

Under the leadership of Congressman Christopher Shays, the partnering communities in the 4^th Congressional District are coming together to create a comprehensive program that will be accessible not only to residents of the four key Cities, but to over 900,000 residents of Fairfield County. 

After much discussion the region has chosen the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and over the next several months will present a wide variety of events that are designed to immerse the reading participants in all aspects of the novel – the historic elements, the themes of diversity and equality and the Southern traditions woven throughout.