by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
As the “Information Age” continues to evolve, it’s perhaps ironic that people are reading less than they have in the past. At least that’s the finding of a study based on 20 years of data collected and published in 2004 by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).
The survey asked more than 17,000 adults if – during the past 12 months – they had read any novels, short stories, poetry or plays in their leisure time that were not required for work or school. The results indicated an overall decline of 10 percentage points in those who did read for the pure enjoyment of it from 1982 to 2002 or a loss of about 20 million readers in that decade.
When the study was released NEA Chairman Dana Gioia characterized the findings as “documenting a national crisis” and added, “To lose this human capacity and all the diverse benefits it fosters impoverishes both cultural and civic life.”
In an effort to restore recreational reading’s place in people’s lives, the NEA launched an initiative called “The Big Read” in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and in cooperation with Arts Midwest. The program encourages literary reading through programs at public libraries nationwide through a selected list of books plus the support materials needed to promote participation among people of all ages.
The Jacksonville Public Library applied for and received a $20,000 NEA grant (matched by a similar amount raised by the Jacksonville Public Library Foundation and the Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library) to offer “The Big Read” locally.
“Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston is the featured work. It is one of a dozen classic American novels that were chosen for this year’s program by the NEA’s Reader’s Circle, a group of 21 writers, scholars, librarians and publishing professionals.
First published in 1937, Hurston’s novel has been described as an “African American feminist classic” and narrates main character Janie Crawford’s transition from a teenage girl to a woman in control of her own destiny.
“The good news is with the NEA’s funds in addition to what was raised by the foundation and the Friends, we are able to hold several major events and dozens of discussion groups around reading the novel,” said Bob Silkett, senior librarian and project coordinator for “Jax Reads.”
“We have scheduled a diverse selection of activities in order to make the experience available to anyone and everyone who would like to get involved. The vision was to call in all the troops. We didn’t want it to be just a library event, we want a community effort with community results.”
The Public Library staff has mounted a two-month plan to put the novel in front of as many readers as possible. Through Nov. 2 there are discussions, lectures and even screenings of a made-for-television film based on the book and starring Halle Berry that will be held at every branch library, bookstores, two Florida Community College at Jacksonville campuses, Historic Mt. Zion AME Church and the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens.
Part of the NEA grant application was based on the wide range of opportunities the Public Library felt were available, said Pam McClellan, who works in the library’s Resources Development and Human Services departments.
“We were selected to be one of just 100 cities nationwide and only five in Florida who qualified for the grants. We explained to the NEA how unique Jacksonville is due to being a consolidated city-county government and that we had a total of 500,000 potential readers. The Public Library pulled together all its resources to make the program accessible to the entire market.”
McClellan also pointed out that in addition to the book, the work is also available as an audio book that will be featured Oct. 26 at FCCJ’s Independent Living for the Adult Blind Book Club. Other dates on the schedule that go beyond turning pages include a presentation by Lucy Anne Hurston, Zora’s niece and last living descendant and a performance by actress Phyllis McEwen’s stage show, “Zora Live!” at the finale of “Jax Reads” Nov. 2 at the Main Library.
With only two weeks since the program kicked off as part of this month’s First Wednesday Art Walk, it has so far been a success in terms of putting the novel in a lot of people’s hands. The library purchased 1,000 additional copies of the book for distribution to the branches and the majority are currently out on loan.
“When we began the program Sept. 5, we had 60 copies at the Main Library and most were checked out immediately,” said Public Library Assistant Director for Partnerships and Communication Keith McLaughlin. As of Tuesday afternoon, 861 of the additional copies were on loan system-wide.
Based on the level of participation so far, McLaughlin believes “Jax Reads” may turn out to be the biggest event of its kind in the history of the program.
“We have made it available. Now we’ll see what happens. This is a great opportunity for people to come together in a common experience. We think a lot of excitement is being generated by so many people in the community reading the same book and discussing the issues it raises,” he said.
The Big Read - Jax Reads Programming highlights:
For adults. Attendance by RSVP to 630-1420. (For the complete schedule, visit http://jaxreads.coj.net)