Cromaine Library today announced that it has received a grant of $9,000 to host The Big Read in 2013. The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The Big Read is managed by Arts Midwest. Cromaine Library is one of 78 not-for-profit organizations to receive a grant to host a Big Read project between September 2012 and June 2013. The Big Read at Cromaine Library will focus on “The Stories and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe.”

Kick-off Celebration will take place on Saturday, March 23, 2013 and run through April 2013.

Ceci Marlow, Cromaine Library director says, “We are so excited to be reading Edgar Allan Poe. He is credited as the American genesis of most genre fiction, including mystery, detective, horror and more.“ 

NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman said, “At the NEA we know that the arts can help to create strong, vibrant communities by bringing people together. Through The Big Read, these 78 organizations are giving their communities the opportunity to share both great works of literature and memorable experiences."

The Big Read provides communities nationwide with the opportunity to read, discuss, and celebrate one of 31 selections from U.S. and world literature. The 78 selected organizations will receive Big Read grants to promote and carry out community-based reading programs featuring activities such as read-a-thons, book discussions, lectures, movie screenings, and performing arts events. Participating communities also receive high-quality, free-of-charge educational materials to supplement each title, including Reader’s, Teacher’s, and Audio Guides, which also are available for download on neabigread.org. 

For more information about The Big Read please visitneabigread.org.