CSM Partners with Libraries, Schools, Community Organizations To Read Fahrenheit 451 as Part of NEA Program
LA PLATA, Md. (Jan. 23, 2010) - Southern Marylanders will launch into The Big Read Jan. 30 and Feb. 1 as the College of Southern Maryland partners with 18 organizations to offer programs focused on Ray Bradburys book Fahrenheit 451 as part of the National Endowment for the Arts literature program.
The community-based reading programs will feature a variety of activities such as book discussions and movie screenings, a writers workshop and book preservation workshop, and a lecture by author Sam Weller, the author of The Bradbury Chronicles: The Life of Ray Bradbury.
The Big Read is a great way to involve our community, schools and citizens of all ages to participate in reading and simultaneous conversations over the same book. Our partners are providing many opportunities that can engage hundreds of readers in our community in reading and discussing this classic and bestseller, Fahrenheit 451, said Tom Repenning, CSM's director of library services and this years program director of The Big Read in Southern Maryland. As part of the program, CSM has received educational materials including books as well as readers, teachers and audio guides to distribute.
The colleges partners in planning events centered around the book Fahrenheit 451 are Asbury-Solomons Island, Calvert County Literacy Council, Calvert County Office on Aging, Calvert Library, Calvert County Public Schools, Charles County Arts Council, Charles County Literacy Council, Charles County Public Library, Charles County Public Schools, The Calverton School, Maryland Public Television, St. Mary's County Department of Aging, St. Mary's County Library, St. Mary's County Literacy Council, St. Mary's County Public Schools, Southern Maryland Newspapers, Southern Maryland Regional Library Association and St. Mary's Ryken High School.
The NEA describes Fahrenheit 451 in its preface as a gripping story at once disturbing and poetic, Bradbury takes the materials of pulp fiction and transforms them into a visionary parable of a society gone awry, in which firemen burn books and the state suppresses learning. Meanwhile, the citizenry sits by in a drug-induced and media-saturated indifference. More relevant than ever a half-century later, Fahrenheit 451 has achieved the rare distinction of being both a literary classic and a perennial bestseller.
The Big Read 2010 grantees, totaling $3,742,765, represent 44 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Since the 2006 pilot program with 10 participating organizations, the NEA has given more than 800 grants to support The Big Reads local projects. The NEA launched The Big Read nationally in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and in cooperation with Arts Midwest.
Events scheduled within Southern Maryland can be viewed online at http://csmd.edu/thebigread/ . Activities include:
The Big Read Kick-off in Charles County.2-4 p.m., Jan. 30. Charles County Public Library, La Plata Branch, 2 Garrett Avenue, La Plata. Excerpts from the book Fahrenheit 451 will be read. The event will also feature the La Plata Volunteer Fire Department and a limited number of books will be given away. Light refreshments. Emily Ferren, 301-934-9001.
The Big Read Kick-off in St. Mary's County. 2-3 p.m., Jan. 30. St. Mary's County Library, Leonardtown Branch, 23250 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown. Excerpts from the book Fahrenheit 451 will be presented by students from St. Mary's Ryken High School. A limited number of books will be given away. Light refreshments.
The Big Read Kick-off in Calvert County. 6 p.m., Feb. 1. Calvert Library, Prince Frederick Branch, 850 Costley Way, Prince Frederick. First book discussion of the series, comparing and contrasting the books Fahrenheit 451 and Brave New World. A limited number of copies of Fahrenheit 451 will be given away. Light refreshments. 410-535-0291
Fahrenheit 451 Online Book Discussion. Jan. 30 - March 1. www.calvertlibrary.ning.org
Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 Book Discussion.7 p.m., Feb. 1. Calvert Library, Prince Frederick Branch, 850 Costley Way, Prince Frederick. 410-535-0291.
Fahrenheit 451 Senior Book Discussion.1-2 p.m., Feb. 4. Richard Clark Senior Center, 1210 Charles Street, La Plata. Phyllis Frere, 301-934-9001.
Fahrenheit 451 Book Discussion.9:30-10:30 a.m., Feb. 6. Charles County Public Library, Waldorf Branch, 50 Village Street, Waldorf. Mike Russ, 301-645-2864.
Fahrenheit 451 Book Discussion.7 p.m., Feb. 8. Calvert Library, Twin Beaches Branch, Town Center Apartments, 8933 Chesapeake Avenue, North Beach. 410-257-2411.
Fahrenheit 451 Movie Discussion.7 p.m., Feb. 8. St. Mary's County Library, Charlotte Hall Branch, 37600 New Market Road, Charlotte Hall. Participants are asked to view the film prior to the discussion. Gail McFadden, 301-884-2211, ext. 2008.
Fahrenheit 451 Book Discussion.7-8 p.m., Feb. 11. Charles County Public Library, La Plata Branch, 2 Garrett Avenue, La Plata. Phyllis Frere, 301-934-9001.
Movie Fahrenheit 451.10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Feb. 13. Charles County Public Library, Potomac Branch, 3225 Ruth B. Swann Drive, Indian Head. Lena Cox, 301-375-7375.
Movie Fahrenheit 451.7:15 p.m., Feb.16. Asbury Solomons, 11100 Asbury Circle, Solomons. Jim Bershon, a movie buff who conducts various film workshops at St. Mary's College, will give a 15-minute movie lecture prior to the movie being shown at 7:30 p.m. Group discussion will follow the movie. Seating is limited. Nancy Lehman, 410-394-3093.
Fahrenheit 451 Book Discussion. 2 p.m., Feb. 17. Calvert Library, Fairview Branch, Route 4 and Chaneyville Road, Owings. 410-257-2101.
The Man Behind the Masterpiece.7 p.m., Feb. 17, College of Southern Maryland, La Plata Campus (BI Building), Center for Business and Industry, Room BI-113, 8730 Mitchell Road, La Plata. Presentation by best-selling author Sam Weller, the author of The Bradbury Chronicles: The Life of Ray Bradbury. The companion book The Ray Bradbury Interviews will be published by Melville House Press in the fall. Weller is a professor in the fiction writing department at Columbia College in Chicago. 301-934-7626.
Fahrenheit 451 Book Discussion.2 p.m., Feb. 18. Calvert Library, Southern Branch, 20 Appeal Way, Lusby. 410-326-5289.
Fahrenheit 451 Book Discussion.7 p.m., Feb. 18. St. Mary's County Library, Leonardtown Branch, 23250 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown. Raisa White, 301-475-2846.
Book Preservation Workshop. 11 a.m. to noon, Feb. 20. College of Southern Maryland, Learning Resources Building, Dr. Elaine Ryan Library, La Plata Campus, 8730 Mitchell Road, La Plata. Join archivist Amanda Pike for an interactive workshop on preserving and maintaining your personal book collections. Learn a brief history about books, basic preservation care, and simple book repairs. The workshop will review causes of book damage, how to prevent damage to your books, and hands-on solutions for treating damage to bound material. 301-934-7626.
Movie Fahrenheit 451.2:30 and 6:30 p.m., Feb. 22. Calvert Library, Prince Frederick Branch, 850 Costley Way, Prince Frederick. Short discussion to follow each movie showing. 410-535-0291.
Fahrenheit 451 Book Discussion.6 p.m., Feb. 22. St. Mary's County Library, Lexington Park Branch, 21677 FDR Blvd., Lexington Park. Sara Stephenson, 301-863-8188.
Fahrenheit 451 Senior Book Discussion. 11 a.m. to noon, Feb. 24. Indian Head Senior Center, 100 Cornwallis Square, Indian Head. Lena Cox, 301-375-7375.
Fahrenheit 451 Book Discussion.2:30 to 4 p.m., Feb. 25. College of Southern Maryland, Leonardtown Campus, Building C, Room 216, 22950 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown. Book discussion sponsored by the Leonardtown Campus Student Activity Committee. Tabatha Goodwin, 240-725-5362.
Writer's Workshop.1-4 p.m., Feb. 27. Charles County Public Library, La Plata Branch, 2 Garrett Avenue, La Plata. This workshop conducted by Yvonne J. Medley, a freelance journalist for the Washington Post, is designed to get your creative juices flowing. An opportunity to network and express life journeys through the art of writing, critiques and rich conversation. Recommended for ages 16 and older.
Fahrenheit 451 Book Discussion. 7 p.m., March 1. St. Mary's County Library, Charlotte Hall Branch, 37600 New Market Road, Charlotte Hall. Gail McFadden, 301-884-2211.
A regionally accredited community college that provides programs and services with a special focus on local workforce development to maintain and grow a healthy economy and community, the College of Southern Maryland is a two-time silver level recipient of the Maryland Performance Excellence Award and a six-time recipient of the Workplace Excellence Award. CSM, founded in 1958, is the fifth largest community college in Maryland with campuses in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's counties. For information about CSM, call 301-934-7765 or 301-870-2309, 240-725-5499 or 443-550-6199, Ext. 7765 or visit www.csmd.edu.
The National Endowment for the Arts is a public agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts-both new and established-bringing the arts to all Americans, and providing leadership in arts education. Established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government, the Arts Endowment is the nations largest annual funder of the arts, bringing great art to all 50 states, including rural areas, inner cities, and military bases. For information, visit www.arts.gov.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nations 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institutes mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development. For information, visit www.imls.gov.
Arts Midwest connects people throughout the Midwest and the world to meaningful arts opportunities, sharing creativity, knowledge, and understanding across boundaries. Arts Midwest connects the arts to audiences throughout the nine-state region of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. One of six non-profit regional arts organizations in the United States, Arts Midwest's history spans more than 25 years. For information, visit www.artsmidwest.org.