The Big Read Sonoma County, led by KRCB Public Broadcasting, is pleased to announce that once again its countywide reading program has been selected to receive funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. This year’s program, which will take place during April 2010, will include a wide range of activities and book-related projects based upon Mark Twain’s classic novel The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Humor, trouble and adventure follow Tom Sawyer everywhere—from the banks of the Mississippi to the brink of death and back in Mark Twain’s first full novel.

From book club discussions to dramatic readings to multimedia interpretations and more, The Big Read Sonoma County joins more than 260 communities across the United States participating in The Big Read, an initiative designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. 

“KRCB is proud to be a part of this important national effort to encourage reading on a community-wide scale,” said Nancy Dobbs, President and CEO of KRCB Television and Radio. “As a past participant in The Big Read in 2007 and 2008, we know this event both promotes literacy and builds a stronger sense of community.”
The local program, an outgrowth of the decade-old Sonoma County Reads, encourages reading among adults, teens, and youth. It is facilitated by KRCB in partnership with the Sonoma County Library, Sonoma County Public Library Foundation, the Arts Council of Sonoma County, Cinnabar Theater, and Santa Rosa Junior College.

This year, Sonoma County Regional Parks joins The Big Read Sonoma County as a major partner. Inspired by the many adventures of Tom and his friends, Sonoma County Regional Parks will present river events, campfires, and other activities related to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer during its month-long Annual Parks Celebration in April.

The Big Read Sonoma County and KRCB encourage community members to participate and organize activities related to the Big Read this fall. All public activities will be listed on The Big Read Sonoma County calendar of events, which will be distributed throughout the county, and on The Big Read Sonoma County and KRCB websites. The most creative, interesting projects will be featured on KRCB’s airwaves. In addition, a limited number of mini-grants of between $50 and $250 will be available.

For information about the NEA initiative, visit www.neabigread.org. To learn more about The Big Read Sonoma County, visit www.bigreadsonoma.com or contact Melissa Kelley, project coordinator for The Big Read Sonoma County, at mkelley@sonic.net or (707) 537-8783.
Please return to this Web site for updates to information for The Big Read Sonoma County.