Learning Russian/Learning Tolstoy

Scott Fabel did an excellent job teaching about SEVENTY people Russian on Tuesday night. Next week, he'll teach a more advanced Russian class...so let us know if you're coming!

Wednesday, Dr. Andy Kaufman spent the day at the Ephrata High School discussing Tolstoy and "The Death of Ivan Ilyich" with students. After a little rest, he headed out to the library to present his speech "Give War and Peace a Chance: How Tolstoy Can Change Your Life." Many people came up to me and told me how inspired they now are to read Tolstoy with an entirely different attitude...which is exactly what we'd hoped the presentation would accomplish. Thanks to Dr. Kaufman...to the International Deli for providing us with excellent Russian food...and to everyone who came out to be part of our Big Read!

Penny

David Kipen Visits Ephrata!

Not only did David visit us...he brought The Big Read SUV with him! It was a great night...with good music provided by Irene and Dmitri (from Main Street!), food by the International Deli and wonderful conversation. What a wonderful way to kick off our Big Read Ephrata.

Thanks to everyone who came out and supported the cause. Tonight - Tuesday, May 6 at 6 p.m. - we'll be starting our Russian language classes with Scott Fabel from Millersville University.

Keep reading!

Just Announced - Special Keynote Speaker

David Kipen - Director of Literature for the National Endowment of the Arts To Speak at Big Read Ephrata Launch on Monday, May 5th at 7:00 p.m.

David Kipen joined the National Endowment for the Arts in September 2005 as the Director of Literature. Among his responsibilities, Mr. Kipen leads the agency’s national leadership initiatives literature, including the Big Read and Poetry Out Loud. He also oversees the review process for literature applications.

Beginning in 2000, David Kipen was the book critic for the San Francisco Chronicle where he reviewed six to eight books each month. He was also a book critic and essayist for National Public Radio’s Day to Day and presented Santa Monica station KCRW-FM’s weekly commentary and podcast Overbooked.
Prior to working with the Chronicle, Kipen was the senior editor of Buzz magazine, editing and helping to write the “What’s the Buzz?” section about his native Southern California.

He is the editor and author of the recently published book The Schreiber Theory: A Radical Rewrite of Film History from Agee to Zaillian, and reviews movies regularly for The Bob Edwards Show on satellite radio. Kipen received his bachelor’s degree in literature from Yale University in 1985.

You must register for this event. To register, call 717-738-9291 ext. 102 or email ptalbert@ephratapubliclibrary.org.

First Things First...

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BIG READ

What is The Big Read?
The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The program provides citizens with the opportunity to read and discuss a single book within their communities. The Big Read brings together partners across the country to encourage reading for pleasure and enlightenment. Big Read grantees comprise a variety of organizations including libraries, municipalities, colleges, and arts, culture, and science organizations. By 2009, approximately 400 towns and cities nationwide will have hosted a Big Read program.

The NEA presents The Big Read in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and in cooperation with Arts Midwest. Support for The Big Read is also provided by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The Big Read in the Pacific Northwest is also supported, in part, by a grant from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.

Why has this program been organized?
The Big Read was created in response to the National Endowment for the Arts report Reading at Risk: A Survey of Literary Reading in America, which identified a critical decline in literary reading among American adults. With communities across the country as partners and by awarding grants and by improving access to the art of literature, the Arts Endowment is working toward reversing the decline in reading.

To Read or Not To Read: A Question of National Consequence, the NEA’s 2007 follow-up report to Reading at Risk, reported that not only are Americans reading less, they are also reading less well, and these declines in reading have civic, social, and economic implications. To Read or Not To Read assembled data on reading trends from more than 40 sources, including federal agencies, universities, foundations, and associations.
These reports can be found online at: http://www.nea.gov/pub/pubLit.php.

How was Ephrata selected to participate in The Big Read?
Ephrata is one of 127 communities participating in The Big Read from January-June 2008. Community organizations are selected by a panel of experts based on each organization’s experience in building strong local partnerships, reaching and engaging new and diverse audiences, working with educators, involving local and state public officials, working with media, and excellence of plans to develop and implement a community-wide reading program.

Which organizations in our community are participating in The Big Read?
Ephrata Public Library is the lead organization for The Big Read in Ephrata. Our Big Read partners include the Ephrata Area School District and Downtown Ephrata, Inc.

Why did our community choose to read "The Death of Ivan Ilyich" by Leo Tolstoy?
With the Russian population growing in the Ephrata Area, The Big Read presented an opportunity for education about Russian culture, language and literature while opening a new dialogue and relationship between our immigrant and native population.

When will The Big Read in Ephrata take place?
The Big Read in Ephrata will take place May 5-June 21, 2008. A full calendar of events, along with other information for The Big Read in both Russian and English is available at www.thebigreadephrata.org.

What types of events will take place during The Big Read in Ephrata?
From book discussion to Russian language classes, The Big Read Ephrata has something for everyone! Film screenings, cultural programming and events for all ages will be offered throughout the community. The finale for our campaign will be a White Nights Festival in downtown Ephrata.

Where can I find more information about The Big Read?
For information on The Big Read in Ephrata, please contact Penny Talbert, Community Relations Coordinator for the Ephrata Public Library by telephone (717-738-9291 ext. 102) or by email (ptalbert@ephratapubliclibrary.org). You can also visit our website at www.thebigreadephrata.org.

Visit www.neabigread.org for more information on the national Big Read program, including guidelines and application deadlines. The Web site also features information about The Big Read novels, including author biographies, discussion questions, and suggestions for further reading.