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<P><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=140553919-27102008>Libraries thinking about offering a local
community reading program after Oregon Reads 2009, but not sure where to get the
funding or support should considering applying for The Big Read grant.
Several libraries and community organizations in Oregon have received The Big
Read grant and had very successful programs--Woodburn Public Library, St.
Helens Public Library, Milton-Freewater Public Library, Fishtrap, and the
Clackamas County Arts Alliance. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>The following contains excerpts of a press release
issued by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (</FONT><A
href="http://www.imls.gov/index.shtm" target=_blank><FONT face=Arial
size=2>IMLS</FONT></A><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2>) and the National Endowment
for the Arts, announcing the application deadline for the Big Read Grants. The
application deadline is <STRONG>February 3, 2009.</STRONG><SPAN
class=140553919-27102008><STRONG> </STRONG>Programming must be conducted
between September 2009 and June 2010. View the full press release at: <A
href="http://www.imls.gov/news/2008/102208a.shtm">http://www.imls.gov/news/2008/102208a.shtm</A></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>Washington, DC—The Institute of Museum and Library
Services (</FONT><A href="http://www.imls.gov/index.shtm" target=_blank><FONT
face=Arial size=2>IMLS</FONT></A><FONT face=Arial size=2>), in partnership
with the National Endowment for the Arts (</FONT><A href="http://www.nea.gov/"
target=_blank><FONT face=Arial size=2>NEA</FONT></A><FONT face=Arial size=2>),
announces the fifth deadline for The Big Read. The purpose of The Big Read is
to revitalize the role of literature in American popular culture. Grants
ranging from $5,000 – $20,000 are available to encourage local communities to
inspire reading by developing and carrying out programming revolving around a
single work of literature. Programming must be conducted between September
2009 and June 2010. This will be the only application deadline in
2009.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>Big Read grants require the participation of a
library as a lead applicant or a partner. IMLS strongly encourages museums of
all types to apply as lead applicants or as partner organizations in The Big
Read. Communities across the country have strengthened their Big Read projects
by enlisting the support of art, science, history, and children’s museums, as
well as aquaria, arboreta, botanical gardens, nature centers, and
zoos.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>The Request for Proposals can be downloaded at
</FONT><A title=http://www.neabigread.org/ href="http://www.neabigread.org/"
target=_blank><FONT face=Arial size=2>www.NEABigRead.org</FONT></A><FONT
face=Arial size=2>. The proposal deadline is February 3, 2009. Questions
should be directed to Arts Midwest at 612-238-8010 or </FONT><A
title=mailto:TheBigRead@artsmidwest.org
href="mailto:TheBigRead@artsmidwest.org" target=_blank><FONT face=Arial
size=2>TheBigRead@artsmidwest.org</FONT></A><FONT face=Arial
size=2>.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>The Big Read is an initiative of the National
Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library
Services and in cooperation with Arts Midwest.</FONT></P></BLOCKQUOTE><A
href="mailto:katie.anderson@state.or.us"></A></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>