LIBRARY NOTES
 
The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest. The program is designed to revitalize the role of literature in American culture and bring the transformative power of literature into the lives of its citizens. The Big Read brings together partners across the country to encourage citizens to read for pleasure and enlightenment.
This year's Big Read book is
Washington Square by Henry James. The story focuses on heiress Catherine Sloper, whose domineering father thwarts her attempts at love and happiness with cad-about-town Morris Townsend. Critic Donald Hall proclaimed, "everybody likes Washington Square, even the denigrators of Henry James."
Through such events around the city as reading groups, lectures, walking tours, performances of The Heiress, and screenings of movies based on the works of Henry James, the Merc hopes to build a new audience for this emotionally subtle, yet universal novel.
The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest.
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