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All Departments Administration Corrections Development Services Facilities Management Human Resources Information Technology Library Services Management and Budget Services Natural Resources Management Neighborhood and Human Services Parks and Recreation Public Safety Public Works Veterans Services Waste ServicesIn May it was proudly announced that the West Florida Public Library System had received a grant of $15,000 to host the Big Read program.
The West Florida Public Library is one of 77 nonprofit organizations to receive a grant to host The Big Read project between September 2014 and June 2015. The Big Read in Escambia County will focus on The Things They Carried, Tim O’Brien’s novel about the lasting impact of the Vietnam War. O’Brien will come to Escambia County to launch The Big Read activities in October.
Managed by Arts Midwest, the Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to revitalize the role of reading in American culture by exposing citizens to great works of literature and encouraging them to read for pleasure.
The Big Read is made possible by WFPL’s strong community partnerships, including The Appleyard Agency, Pensacola Little Theatre, Pensacola Habitat for Humanity, Pensacola State College, the University of West Florida and the continuing support of the Friends of West Florida Public Library.
Upcoming Escambia County ‘Big Read’ Events
The Big Read Scholarly Series – The Vietnam War: An Overview
Dr. Derek Zumbro, UWF Department of History, will discuss the history of the Vietnam War, from its origins in colonialism to its conclusion and its continuing impact on American society.
The Big Read Scholarly Series – World War I and the Inevitability of War
In honor of the 100th anniversary of WWI, Dr. Derek Zumbro, UWF Department of History, will discuss the build up to war and why it couldn't be stopped once the gears started turning.
Movie Screening – Return With Honor
Return With Honor tells the powerful, moving story of American pilots shot down over North Vietnam and their challenge to survive with honor as POW's. A tribute to heroism, endurance and brotherhood under duress, the film recalls the transformation from top-gun aviators to captives. Told in their words, rich with survivor humor and complete with North Vietnamese archival footage, the film is a universal story of honor and duty.
The Things They Carried Reader’s Theater
Pensacola Little Theater, in partnership with WFPL, presents a dramatic interpretation of Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried.
The Big Read Scholarly Series – New Secondary Explosions: Combat PTSD and Moral Injury
A trauma psychologist, Dr. Rebecca Temple, will discuss moral injuries; a major theme of The Things They Carried. Moral injuries arise from the actions or inactions of an individual in war, the actions of others, or from bearing witness to extreme human suffering or gruesome sensory experiences in combat. These experiences conflict with a person’s prior fundamental beliefs about their character, other people, and humanity. **Please note, material may not be appropriate for all ages**
War Notes: Letters and Songs from Times of War
Musicians Libby Hargrave and Sam Waite present a program of music and the letters exchanged between soldiers and their loved ones back home, just one of many things they carried.
The Big Read Scholarly Series – The Poetics and Politics of Trauma: Literature and the Narrative Cure
Dr. Robin Blyn, UWF Department of English, will provide an overview of The Things They Carried and will offer some final thoughts on the book to bring The Big Read in Escambia County to a close.
Community members are invited to join their neighbors at the library to talk about Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried. All are encouraged to participate in this discussion about the author's work, the Vietnam War and the war's continuing impact on American society.
For more information about the WFPL system, please contact Melissa Davis at (850) 436-5060. For more information about the Big Read, please visit neabigread.org.
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The West Florida Public Library is a system of seven library locations serving the communities of Escambia County. WFPL informs, empowers and entertains residents through its commitment to excellent service and innovative programming. For information about the West Florida Public Library and the services it provides, please visit mywfpl.com.
The National Endowment for the Arts was established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. To date, the NEA has awarded more than $4 billion to support artistic excellence, creativity and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities. The NEA extends its work through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies and the philanthropic sector. To join the discussion on how art works, visit the NEA at arts.gov.
Arts Midwest promotes creativity, nurtures cultural leadership, and engages people in meaningful arts experiences, bringing vitality to Midwest communities and enriching people’s lives. Based in Minneapolis, Arts Midwest connects the arts to audiences throughout the nine-state region of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. One of six non-profit regional arts organizations in the United States, Arts Midwest’s history spans more than 25 years. For more information, please visit artsmidwest.org.
The mission of Escambia County government is to provide efficient, responsive services that enhance our quality of life, meet common needs and promote a safe and healthy community.
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