Irving Public Library's Big Read

News Releases and Library Line

Library Line- October- Big Read Special Edition

For October 2008:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2008
Contact:  Laurie M. Kunke, Corporate Communications Director, at (972) 721-2321

 BOOK DISCUSSIONS AND FILM SCREENINGS
ENHANCE IRVING’S BIG READ PROGRAM

Several book discussions and film screenings led by local authors and experts will be offered throughout Irving as part of The Big Read in October. An initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest, the Big Read is a monthlong, communitywide reading event designed to revitalize the role of literature in American culture. This year’s selected title is The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett.

For a complete calendar of Big Read events, or to find out more about the program, visit Irving’s Big Read Web site at www.cityofirving.org/library/bigread, or call (972) 721-2606.

Book Discussions:

Book Discussion Blog
Join a blog discussion at www.neighborsgo.com/blog/bigread_discussion.

Tough Guys and Deadly Dames, Pulp Fiction and Detectives of the Past
Erin Smith, author of Hard-Boiled: Working Class Readers and Pulp Magazines, will offer insight into the American detective fiction genre of the 1920s, ’30s and ’40s, as well as the history of pulp magazines at 3 p.m. Oct. 4 at the Southwest Branch Library, 2216 W. Shady Grove Road.

Tea & Talk about Hammett Featuring Dr. Joan McGettigan
Dr. Joan McGettigan, assistant professor of radio-TV-film at Texas Christian University, will moderate a discussion of The Maltese Falcon and the movie adaptations over a cup of tea at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9 at the Irving Central Library, 801 W. Irving Blvd.

What’s In Your Backpack? Teen Book Club
Valley Ranch Library, 401 Cimarron Trail, invites teens in grades 6-12 to discuss The Maltese Falcon and other young adult mysteries at the monthly teen book club at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 10.

The Maltese Falcon Book Discussion at the Mustangs of Las Colinas Museum
The Irving Public Library and the Mustangs of Las Colinas Museum will present a book discussion on The Maltese Falcon and Hammett’s other works at 10 a.m. Oct. 18. The event will be moderated by local author Carole Nelson Douglas, commonly known for her two series, the Irene Adler and the Midnight Louie mysteries. The Mustangs of Las Colinas Museum is located at Williams Square, 5205 N. O’Connor Drive, Suite 155. Participants will have a chance to visit the museum and exhibits after the discussion. Parking at Williams Square is free on Saturdays.

African-American Book Circle Adult Book Club Featuring Local Author Frankie Bailey
Frankie Bailey, a local mystery writer, will moderate the Northwest Branch Library’s adult book discussion of The Maltese Falcon and various African-American crime fiction authors at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 18. The Northwest Branch Library is located at 2928 N. Belt Line Road. 

Reception and Book Discussion Featuring Richard Layman
Richard Layman, Dashiell Hammett expert and author of Discovering the Maltese Falcon and Sam Spade, will present a lecture at 7 p.m. Oct. 20 at the National Scouting Museum, 1329 W. Walnut Hill Lane. Admission into the museum is free, so come early to pay tribute to the rich history of the Boy Scouts of America. Explore the Norman Rockwell art gallery, participate in hands-on learning experiences and discover a historical collection that traces the Scouting movement from its beginnings.  

Valley Ranch Reads Featuring Laura Starks
Valley Ranch Reads, an adult book discussion group, will feature The Maltese Falcon at 7 p.m. Oct. 23. The discussion will be moderated by local mystery writer Laura Starks at the Valley Ranch Library, 401 Cimarron Trail.

 Film Screenings:

“American Masters” Dashiell Hammett: Detective, Writer
See the PBS special, “American Masters,” at 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Central Library, 801 W. Irving Blvd. The documentary focuses on the man and his life with interviews from scholars and biographers, readings and reenactments of scenes from the books, and newsreel clips.  

Mysterious Monday Morning Movies
See the movie based on Dashiell Hammett's classic tale of murder in Manhattan that began one of the most successful detective series in film history. The movie will be shown at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 13 at the Central Library, 801 W. Irving Blvd.

Thin Man Marathon
Enjoy all six Thin Man movies on the big screen from noon to 10 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Central Library, 801 W. Irving Blvd. Bring a lawn chair, blanket and picnic basket to settle in for hours of entertainment, and enjoy free mocktails.  

Maltese Falcon Screenings
The Central Library, 801 W. Irving Blvd., and the Valley Ranch Library, 401 Cimarron Trail, will show the movie version of The Maltese Falcon, starring Humphrey Bogart, at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 30. 

The Maltese Falcon book kits, which contain copies of the book, readers guides and an audio guide, are available for book clubs. Register at the Central Library, 801 W. Irving Blvd., to receive a Book Gab to Go kit. Available while supplies last.

For more information, visit www.cityofirving.org/library/bigread or call (972) 721-2606.

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September 2008:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 17, 2008
Contact:  Laurie M. Kunke, Corporate Communications Director, at (972) 721-2321    

THE IRVING PUBLIC LIBRARY THANKS COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS

The Irving Public Library would like to thank Kitty Baker and the volunteers from the Irving Senior Arts Program for their help with the preparation of the reader’s guides for Irving’s Big Read. The Irving Senior Arts Program volunteers undertook the tedious process of placing stickers on 10,000 reader’s guides, directing guides recipients to additional information on the library’s Web site, www.cityofirving.org/library/bigread.

The Big Read, an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts, is a month-long, community-wide reading event designed to revitalize the role of literature in American culture. The initiative, which begins Oct. 1 and runs throughout the month, is designed to encourage reading for pleasure among Americans, and will provide residents with the opportunity to read and discuss a single book within their communities.

This year’s selected title, The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett, is considered the first American detective novel, setting the standard by which all subsequent detective fiction are judged. Reading guides for Hammett’s book will be distributed throughout the city in September. Guides are available at schools, libraries, museums, the Heritage Center and other Big Read event locations.

Multiple copies of the book are available at all library locations or residents can download the audio book at www.irvinglibrary.lib.overdrive.com/.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 3, 2008
Contact:  Laurie M. Kunke, Corporate Communications Director, at (972) 721-2321       

IRVING’S BIG READ TO BEGIN OCT. 1

The Irving community is invited to solve the mystery as the Irving Public Library presents The Big Read program beginning Oct. 1. The Big Read, an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest, is a monthlong, community-wide reading event designed to revitalize the role of literature in American culture.

The Big Read program aims to address the decline in reading for pleasure among American adults by providing residents with the opportunity to read and discuss a single book within their communities. The Irving community will be talking about this year’s selected title, The Maltese Falcon, by Dashiell Hammet, long after The Big Read concludes at the end of October. The Maltese Falcon, considered the first American detective novel, set the standard by which all subsequent detective fiction would be judged.

“Hammett’s comedic tone and sharp dialogue makes for an exceedingly enjoyable read with enough twists to keep the reader turning the pages in search of clues,” said Jan Bodnar, community service supervisor. “The detective/crime thriller theme of the novel has created fantastic opportunities for fun, innovative programs that compliment the book.”

Irving’s Big Read features programs, book discussions and film screenings for all ages at locations across the city. The library is partnering with the Irving Arts Center, Irving Independent School District’s high schools, North Lake Community College, University of Dallas, Heritage Senior Center and Barnes & Noble, as well as various museums and other city organizations, to bring together as much of the population as possible around this entertaining book.

Multiple copies of the book and audio book will be available at all library locations. The audio book can be downloaded at http://irvinglibrary.lib.overdrive.com/.

For more information on the Big Read initiative, please visit www.neabigread.org.

Big Read Kickoff Features Brad Meltzer

Irving’s Big Read begins at 7 p.m. Oct. 6 with “From the Maltese to Meltzer,” a talk by best-selling author Brad Meltzer. The talk, which is free and open to the public, will be held at the Irving Arts Center, 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd. Meltzer is available to greet the public and sign books after the presentation. The appearance is made possible through the library’s partnership with the Irving Arts Center, with assistance from the Friends of the Irving Public Library.

About Brad Meltzer

Brad Meltzer, a graduate of Colombia Law School, is the author of The New York Times best-sellers The Tenth Justice, Dead Even, The First Counsel, The Millionaires and The Book of Fate. He is currently promoting his newest comic book, DC Universe, and his next novel, The Book of Lies. Meltzer is also one of the co-creators of the TV show, Jack & Bobby—about two young brothers, one of whom will one day grow up to be president—and is author of the No. 1 best-selling and critically acclaimed comic book, Identity Crisis, a murder mystery featuring Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman.

Almost six million copies of Meltzer’s books are in print. They have spent more than nine months on the bestseller lists and have been translated into more than 25 languages. His newest title, The Book of Lies, is about the missing murder weapon that Cain used to kill Abel, as well as the unsolved murder of Superman creator Jerry Siegel’s father. Meltzer is one of the few people to interview Jerry Siegel’s family about the murder.

For a full calendar of events and more information on Irving’s Big Read program, please visit http://cityofirving.org/library/bigread.

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July 2008:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2008
Contact: Laurie M. Kunke, Corporate Communications Director, at (972) 721-2321

IRVING PUBLIC LIBRARY RECEIVES BIG READ GRANT

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) announced that the Irving Public Library is one of 208 libraries, municipalities and organizations chosen to receive a grant to host a Big Read celebration.

The Big Read gives communities an opportunity to come together to read, discuss and celebrate one of the 23 selections from American and world literature. The Big Read celebration in Irving, which will be held September-June 2009, will focus on The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammet. Activities will take place in October.

The latest Big Read grantees represent 46 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. To date, the NEA has given more than 500 grants to support local Big Read projects.

"After completing two successful One Book, One Irving programs, the library is very excited to participate in NEA's national initiative," said Patty Landers, director of the Irving Public Library. "This grant will allow our celebration of reading to reach deeper into our community and provide many great programs to enhance The Big Read experience."

The selected organizations will receive Big Read grants ranging from $2,500 to $20,000 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.

"With this latest round of grants, I am proud to say that The Big Read has supported more than 500 public library partnerships," said Anne-Imelda M. Radice, director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the NEA's lead federal partner for The Big Read. "Through this program, public libraries continue to demonstrate their value in communities as centers of engagement, literacy and lifelong learning. I am particularly delighted by the innovative public programming born out of library and museum collaborations."

The Big Read is an initiative of the NEA and is designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. 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 provided by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. For more information about The Big Read, visit www.neabigread.org.

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The National Endowment for the Arts is a public agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts- both new and established- bringing the arts to all Americans, and providing leadership in arts education. Established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government, the Arts Endowment is the nation's largest annual funder of the arts, bringing great art to all 50 states, including rural areas, inner cities, and military bases. For more information, visit www.arts.gov.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development. For more information, visit www.imls.gov.

Arts Midwest connects people throughout the Midwest and the world to meaningful arts opportunities, sharing creativity, knowledge and understanding across boundaries. Arts Midwest connects the arts to audiences throughout the nine-state region of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. One of six nonprofit regional arts organizations in the United States, Arts Midwest's history spans more than 25 years. For more information, visit www.artsmidwest.org.