The Big Read Kickoff was a Great Success!

As video games and other forms of digital media have continued to take over the American culture, reading has suffered dramatically. In an effort to address this national crisis, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) developed the Big Read, a nationwide program that seeks to increase literary reading in the United States. Since 2006, when the program debuted, and 2007, when it was launched nationally, nearly 400 communities throughout the United States have participated in the program. Whether you are an avid reader or someone whose books collect dust on the shelf, , the Big Read can change your life.

Quincy kicked off its second BIG READ on Thursday, September 17th with over 600 people in attendance. This multigenerational event attracted patrons of all ages, including students from Quincy Notre Dame and Quincy Christian school. Over 400 books were distributed at the BIG READ kick-off, with an additional 200 books distributed to local schools prior to the event. The crowd enjoyed a proclamation by Mayor John Spring and a moving presentation by Judge Scott Walden.