FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, July 9, 2010

Contact:  Robert Preston, Jr.,
              912.260.4276
              robert.preston@sgc.edu

SGC Library Receives Nationwide Grant From National Endowment for the Arts

South Georgia College and the William S. Smith Library announced that it has received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to host The Big Read in Douglas and Coffee County. The William S. Smith Library of South Georgia College is one of 75 not-for-profits—including arts and cultural organizations; libraries; and universities—to receive a grant to host a Big Read project between September 2010 and June 2011. The Big Read gives communities the opportunity to come together to read, discuss, and celebrate one of 31 selections from U.S. and world literature. The Big Read in Douglas and Coffee County will focus on The Stories and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe. Activities will take place in October 2010.

Since the 2006 pilot program with 10 participating organizations, the NEA has given more than 800 grants to support local Big Read projects.

“South Georgia College and the William S. Smith Library are proud to be a part of this national effort to encourage reading on a broad scale,” said Dr. Virginia Carson, President of South Georgia College. “We realize this project will promote literacy and build a stronger sense of community as we reach beyond our institution’s walls and encourage readers of all ages.”

“The arts in general – and literature, in particular – often serve as an expression of our shared values. This is exactly why they are so effective as a fulcrum for community engagement,” said NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman. “Thanks to these 75 grants, communities nationwide will be inspired, delighted and challenged by a book they are discovering for the first time, or an old favorite to which they are returning.”

South Georgia College and the William S. Smith Library received a Big Read grant of $6,800 to promote and carry out community-based reading programs featuring activities such as a kick-off event, book discussions, lectures, movie screenings, and performing arts events. Participating communities also receive high-quality, free-of-charge educational materials to supplement each title, including Reader’s, Teacher’s, and Audio Guides.

For information about the NEA initiative, visit www.neabigread.org. To learn more about The Big Read with the William S. Smith Library, contact Jacqueline Vickers, project coordinator, at jacqueline.vickers@sgc.edu or 912.260.4324.

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About South Georgia College

South Georgia College (www.sgc.edu) was founded in 1906 and is a two-year institution in the University System of Georgia. Located in Douglas, Ga., the college's environment gives students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty.