Jeffersonville, IN, Oct 31 - Today Congressman Mike Sodrel (R-IN) announced that the City of Bloomington has been selected to launch the Big Read program in Indiana’s 9^th District. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has also awarded a matching grant to the Bloomington Area Arts Council to engage citizens both old and young in reading and discussing works of literature.

“As a participant of ‘Reading is Fundamental,’ a supporter of continuing adult education and a board member of the Remnant Trust, I am glad to announce that Bloomington is one of only 85 cities nationwide to participate in this year’s program to interest people in reading works of literature,” Sodrel said. “Reading can unlock a child’s imagination and pass on our civilization’s values and discoveries to the next generation and generations beyond.”

The NEA is also providing free support materials – reading guides for student and community participants, a teacher’s supplement for the classroom, a comprehensive website, and marketing materials for print, television and radio.

The Big Read, which was piloted in 2006, is now expanding to include towns and cities throughout the country using the models and materials developed and refined during the pilot phase.

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