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Hurston

Big Read
February/March 2010
A Lesson Before Dying

THE BIG READ provides our citizens with the opportunity to read and discuss a single book within our community. J-MRL invites all book lovers to participate in this exciting program that will be held throughout the months of February and March 2010. The Library is partnering with the Virginia Foundation Center for the Book in THE BIG READ* designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. Visit the Center's BIG READ.

Creating a Nation of Readers

A lesson before dyingThe Library's goal is to encourage all residents of Central Virginia to read and discuss "A Lesson Before Dying" by Ernest J. Gaines during this time. There will be many programs discussing the book and the time period.

Check the catalog for Library sources and author information. You can also check the database, Biography Resource Center, for more information about Ernest J. Gaines.

Ernest GainesErnest J. Gaines's "A Lesson Before Dying" (1993) poses one of the most universal questions literature can ask: Knowing we're going to die, how should we live? It's the story of an uneducated young African-American man named Jefferson, accused of the murder of a white storekeeper, and Grant Wiggins, a college-educated native son of Louisiana, who teaches at a plantation school. In a little more than 250 pages, these two men named for presidents discover a friendship that transforms at least two lives.

Gaines uses a capital case to explore the nobility and the barbarism of which human beings are equally capable. The story builds inexorably to Jefferson's ultimate bid for dignity, both in his prison diary and at the hour of his execution. That Ernest J. Gaines wrings a hopeful ending out of such grim material only testifies to his prodigious gifts as a storyteller.

View the video PSA about THE BIG READ

C.S.I: Big Read

A Comparison in Forensics by Charlottesville Police Detective Eric Pendleton
A PowerPoint presentation comparing forensic procedures of the 1940's and modern techniques applied today. The presentation is related to the scene from Chapter 1 inside Mr. Grope's general store. Although the details are limited, the disciplines discussed will be relevant and objective within the framework of the information.

Exhibits

The Year the Governor Closed the Schools: Integration in Charlottesville
Central Library: Jan 2 - Feb 28 | Northside Library: Mar 1 - Mar 31
Grant Wiggins, narrator of A Lesson ..., teaches at a segregated school in Louisiana. This exhibit was originally created by the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society to mark the 40th anniversary of the year that the Cville City Schools closed rather than integrate.

Beyond the Bars: Mar 1 - 31
Central Library: First Friday Opening, Mar 5, 6:00 pm
An outsider art show featuring acrylic, watercolor, oil and abstract art made by inmates from the Albemarle Charlottesville Regional Jail. Works exhibited come from McGuffey Art Classes that are offered to inmates through the Programs Department at the jail. more info

Films at the Paramount Theater

World Peace Game: sneak preview - Sun, Feb 21, 6pm
This film by local director Chris Farina interweaves the story of John Hunter, a teacher in Charlottesville, with his students' participation in an exercise called the World Peace Game. World Peace Game shares many of the same themes with A Lesson Before Dying, such as education, equality, and tolerance. Tickets are required and are available at the Paramount Box Office.

BIG READ Films
Check the Paramount Theater or call 434-979-1333 for dates and times for BIG READ themed films in February and March. Tickets are required.

Walking Tours

History of African Americans at UVa Tours
March 5 & 12 at 4:00pm
This tour covers the entire history of African Americans at UVA. Starting from the Rotunda steps, this tour runs approximately one hour.

Jefferson School, 4th Street NW, Charlottesville
March 20 at 10:00am & March 21 at 1:00pm
The Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society will offer walking tours of the Starr Hill neighborhood, remembered in local history as an important African-American community. The tours are free and last approximately one hour.

Volunteer Opportunities

Books Behind Bars of The Quest Institute
Donate gently used books; read letters and match donated books with requests from prisoners; organize and shelve books in the BBB library; become a pen pal with a prisoner. Contact Kay Allison: 434.295.3377 more info

Offender Aid and Restoration (OAR)
Volunteer Mentors needed, contact Jason Ness, Reentry Coordinator at 434.296.2441 ext 102 or jness@OAr-jacc.org

Satchidananda Prison Poject
Accepts donations of spiritual books in good condition to give to prisoners. Contact: Rev. Lakshmi Barsel 434.969.3121 ext 116 or programs@iyiva.org more info

Piedmont House
A halfway house for nonviolent male felons providing shelter, haven, food, other support services and commonsense counseling in a ninety-day program with an emphasis on finding and maintaining employment. The program needs gently used men's clothes and shoes.They welcome volunteers to lead groups for literacy, job skills, and money management. Drivers are needed to take residents on errands. Call 971-3835 more info

For questions or if you would like to participate in some way please contact: bigread@jmrl.org

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THE BIG READ is supported by the Art and Jane Hess Fund of the Library Endowment