Remarks for Big Read Launch (as
delivered)
Anne-Imelda M. Radice
Director, Institute of Museum and Library Services
Carnegie Hall
May 9, 2006
Thank you Chairman Gioia and the National
Endowment for the Arts for initiating this exciting
program. I am proud that the Institute of Museum and
Library Services is joining the Endowment in the Big
Read program. This will energize a love of reading literature
throughout the country.
The involvement of the Institute of Museum
and Library Services with the Big Read is a natural.
We are the primary source of federal support for the
nation’s 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums.
We plan to encourage libraries everywhere – in
schools, in communities, and on campuses-- to take part
in the Big Read. Libraries bring important expertise
to this initiative. The Big Read is not just about reading
– but literary reading. And literary reading has
special power. It moves us; it explores the human condition;
it helps us see ourselves and others in new ways. But
the Big Read is not just about literary reading either;
it is about creating strong communities. Libraries are
perfect partners in this endeavor. They are places where
communities come together to learn. Libraries are centers
of civic engagement, where all kinds of community organizations
– schools, museums, media, business – can
come together. And libraries have librarians –
trained, committed people who know their communities,
know about learning, and have the ability to bring partners
to the table. The many partnerships that will be created
by the Big Read have great strength to unite communities
around a common purpose. And that purpose is to use
great literature to learn and be inspired, to think
critically and explore different points of view, and
to strengthen the fabric of our communities and of our
nation. Because when people talk together about a book
they have each read, something powerful happens. We
have communication.
At the Institute of Museum and Library Services we know
that lifelong learning is the key to success in the
twenty-first century and important for our democracy.
Reading is fundamental to learning. So
it gives me great pleasure to announce today that the
Institute of Museum and Library Services is contributing
one million dollars to the Big Read. We are thrilled
to play a part in this important initiative.
Thank you again, Dana. Thank you to Clive
Gillinson and Carnegie Hall for hosting this launch.
And thank you to Arts Midwest and everyone else who
will make the Big Read a resounding success.
