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Attleboro’s
One Adventure, One Book, One Community
Project
Description
2008
Attleboro is energized and ready to read
together again in the fall of 2008 following our highly
successful Big Read of 2007. This year, we have selected F.
Scott Fitzgerald’s The
Great Gatsby as our title and feel strongly that it
will be a very popular choice. We will build on our past
successes as well as do some things differently. We plan to
reach deeper into the community to engage reluctant or lapsed
readers along with the many reading individuals of Attleboro. We
expect more individuals from all sectors of the community to
participate.
Our programming, to take place from
September 24th through November 1st, will revolve around the
cultural, historical and literary significance of The
Great Gatsby
and will involve all generations,
Attleboro’s diverse neighborhoods, several social service
agencies and community groups.
Attleboro’s 1 ABC partners have been invaluable, and
are busy creating an exhilarating array of arts, music, dance,
speakers and discussions on the book, the 1920’s, and the
“American Dream” experience.
The partners include: Attleboro Access Cable Station,
Attleboro Arts Museum, Attleboro Council on Aging, Attleboro
Public Library, Attleboro Public Schools, Bishop Feehan High
School, Bristol Community College, Friends of the Attleboro
Public Library, the Attleboro YMCA, The Literacy Center and the
Sun Chronicle.
We
have restructured our organization such that partners will have
greater participation in program planning. The structure is
based on partners’ interest in literacy, outreach into the
community, services provided, and ability to generate publicity
and or interest in the project. Partners are the decision-making
body of The Big Read/Attleboro’s 1 ABC Committee along with
community individuals serving in sub-committees for publicity,
fundraising, schools, individual events, and targeted outreach.
Again, involvement
with schools, perhaps the most exciting and rewarding part of
our 2007 Big Read, will be strong. As the result of a
curriculum-driven decision, more emphasis will this year be
placed on an interdisciplinary approach, involving the arts,
history, literature and music at both Attleboro and Bishop
Feehan High Schools and at the Network, an alternative high
school program. Close to 900 high school students will
participate.
Attleboro’s 1ABC project is
geared towards promoting community building through literacy.
Encouraging citizens to read the same title and discuss
it with friends, family, acquaintances and possibly individuals
we don't yet know, can help foster a sense of community within
Attleboro. This
project has proven that it offers an opportunity for the
community to engage in dialogue and to appreciate different
points of view. We
look forward to building on our successes of 2007 and bringing
to Attleboro a unique opportunity to get to know themselves,
each other and their community better.
BACK
2007
In choosing Fahrenheit 451,
the Committee focused on their goal to promote some thoughtful
discussion on our lives as we live today. The book is not newly
published, but was futuristic in its appeal when written and
reflects conditions we see today. The title will be announced
either at the beginning of the summer as it will be required
summer reading for the incoming sophomore class at Attleboro
High School.
Programs and activities to promote the campaign will be
organized by committee members to take place at various
locations between September and November, culminating with the
Library 100th building celebration in November. Local
organizations will be encouraged to participate on the committee
and in featuring events. Existing book clubs will be approached
to consider the title for their own groups to discuss. New book
clubs will be encouraged in areas where there is less known
activity.
The Library will provide access to
Fahrenheit 451
in as many formats as available. Extra copies of the printed
version will be secured for loan to patrons. Our local sponsor,
Bristol County Savings Bank has provided funds for the purchase
of copies (1,600) for the students involved in the project, the
library, and other locations where people gather. Promotional
materials for the project as well as programs, activities, tips
for discussion, and newsletters on the topic will be emphasized
at the library and on the newspaper and library WebPages thanks
to The Big Read grant. The L. G. Balfour Foundation, Bank of
America, trustee joins Lesley University faculty with teachers
and students of our middle schools in a PAL program – an arts
and literacy interpretation of the themes from
Fahrenheit 451.
Partners in the program will also promote the endeavor through
their communications, web pages, and other means available.
We look forward to this project and feel that Attleboro is a
perfect community for this program. Let's give them something to
talk about!
BACK
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