Oceanside CA— The Oceanside Public Library will launch its Big Read program in celebration of True Grit by Charles Portis with a special kick-off event at the First Friday Art Walk on September 4, 2015, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Civic Center Library and Plaza.
The Big Read in Oceanside is presented with support from the Friends of Oceanside Public Library, the Oceanside Public Library Foundation, the Oceanside Museum of Art and the North County LGBTQ Support Center.
The Big Read kick-off event will feature photographs from the UCR California Museum of Photography’s Keystone-Mast Collection, unique stereo-graphic works from the time period of the novel, live readings by Cowboy Poet Gary Robertson, living displays of women’s attire from the era from the California Women’s Museum and pony rides for the children. Free copies of the book will be given away during the event.
A program of the National Endowment for the Arts, The Big Read broadens our understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book. Managed by Arts Midwest, this initiative offers grants to support innovative community reading programs designed around a single book.
Oceanside is one of only 75 communities nationwide selected to participate in The Big Read. From September 1, 2015 to October 3, 2015, our community will celebrate True Grit with a full calendar of free, special events including book discussions, film screenings, panel discussions, Cowboy storytelling, and much more.
The Little Read, a companion to the Big Read geared for children, will feature Old West story times, crafts and a special performance by Cowboy Ken Frawley.
For more information, please contact Monica Chapa Domercq, Project Coordinator at 760-435-5600. You also can view a full calendar of events for The Big Read in Oceanside at www.oceansidepubliclibrary.org.
The Oceanside Public Library, as the cultural heart of Oceanside, empowers the community by promoting literacy, information access, civic engagement, cultural inclusiveness, and openness to new ideas. The Mission of the Oceanside Public Library is to engage, inform, connect and inspire.