Jackson District Library has been awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts for The Big Read.

“The Big Read initiative is designed to revitalize the role of literary reading in American popular culture. 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.” Dana Gioia, Chairman, National Endowment for the Arts.

This year’s Big Read is “Bless Me, Ultima” by Rudolfo Anaya. Rudolfo Anaya’s first novel follows a boy caught between childhood and adolescence, between his family and the wider world. Full of dreams, legends, and prayers Bless Me, Ultima transports a reader to New Mexico sixty years ago when everyday life was still enchanted.

To find out more about NEA’s initiative visit www.neabigread.org

Click here to learn about this year's essay contest

Click here for an easy essay reference outline

Click here to print out an essay submission form

Click here for offical rules and regulations