The Big Read
The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in
partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services designed to
revitalize the role of literature in American culture and bring the
transformative power of literature into the lives of its citizens. The Big Read
brings together partners across the country to encourage citizens to read for
pleasure and enlightenment.
Reading at Risk: A Survey of Literary Reading in America, a 2004 NEA
report, identified a critical decline in reading for pleasure among American
adults. The Big Read aims to address this issue directly by providing citizens
with the opportunity to read and discuss a single book within their communities.
A great book combines enlightenment with enchantment. It awakens our imagination and enlarges our humanity. It can even offer harrowing insights that somehow console and comfort us. Whether you're a regular reader already or a nonreader making up for lost time, thank you for joining the Big Read.
–Dana Gioia Chairman, National Endowment for the Arts
For more information about the Big Read, please visit
www.neabigread.org.
These materials were developed and written by the National Endowment for the Arts.