The Big Read: Project Mockingbird

by Kelsey Bates, Birmingham Public Library, Archives Department

Which book should every adult read in his or her lifetime?

England’s Museums, Libraries and Archives Council asked this question of librarians in a recent poll—their number one answer was To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Though this bestselling novel is required reading in most high schools, Jefferson County’s librarians agree it is important enough to be read and re-read over the course of a lifetime. This spring, join the 660,000 residents of Jefferson County for The Big Read—a massive reading initiative focusing on one of the world’s most beloved and significant novels set right here in Alabama: To Kill a Mockingbird.

The Big Read is a program created by the National Endowment for the Arts, and Jefferson County is one of only 127 communities in the U.S. awarded a Big Read Grant this year. The Big Read was developed in response to the NEA’s report Reading at Risk: A Survey of Literary Reading in America, which identified a critical decline in literary reading among American adults and revealed the following about literary reading in the U.S.:　

• Less than half of the adult American population now reads literature. (In this survey, literature is defined as any novel, short stories, poetry, or drama, with no distinctions made for quality or length.)
• The percentage of the U.S. adult population reading any book has declined by seven percent over the past decade.
• Literary reading is declining among all age groups, but the steepest decline is in the youngest age groups.

Participating in The Big Read can go beyond simply reading the book. The 39 public libraries of Jefferson County—as well as arts organizations, schools, and other community organizations—are planning over 140 programs to engage people of all ages and interests. Programs include kick-off events, screenings of To Kill a Mockingbird and related films, discussions of the book, and family nights with games and giveaways. One library will show visitors how to build their own "mockingbird houses" while another will engage young readers in creating book jackets for the novel. Many libraries around the County will display exhibits related to the book’s theme, characters, and setting; others will present music from the 1930s by local performers.

Some libraries will offer dramatic readings by local theater troupe The Seasoned Performers, a senior adult theater company. The Seasoned Performers has developed "Conversations from To Kill a Mockingbird," dramatic readings that will highlight some of the most powerful dialogue from the book and encourage audience discussion.

Professors from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law and English Department will visit community libraries to lead discussions of the novel from the perspectives of literature, law, and politics. Samford University’s decidedly experienced panel includes Governor Albert P. Brewer, Dean of the Cumberland School of Law The Honorable John L. Carroll, Professor of English Dr. Christopher Metress, and Associate Professor of English Dr. Julie Steward.

Readers will find many extra copies of To Kill a Mockingbird in libraries countywide, high schools, and bookstores. Each library in Jefferson County will enhance its permanent holdings of To Kill a Mockingbird, resulting in over a thousand additional copies circulating throughout the system (including audio books, large print books, and DVDs). If you cannot find the book in your local library, remember that in Jefferson County you can order a book from any other library in the cooperative and have it delivered to your neighborhood library at no charge.

Be sure to look for free copies of the book placed in public areas during the months of February, March, and April. "Read-it-Forward" books are free to anyone who finds them, and with funding from the Alabama State Council on the Arts, JCLC has purchased 1,500 paperback copies of the book to place all around the County. Each book comes with a unique number so that the reader who finds one can register it on projectmockingbird.org, write a review, and then pass it along to another reader. As the books are passed along and re-registered on the site, readers can track their books on a virtual map as they travel. In the past, "Read-it-Forward" books have traveled to places as far away as Rome, Italy. Birmingham’s Sister City, Rosh-Ha'ayin, Israel, will hold its own "Read-it-Forward" in tandem with Jefferson County. They will distribute free copies of To Kill a Mockingbird throughout their city in the Hebrew translation.

To purchase a copy of the book for your permanent collection, local bookstores—like Books-A-Million, Little Professor, Alabama Booksmith, and Barnes & Noble—will be increasing their book supplies for the months of February, March, and April. They will also be creating special displays in stores and encouraging their book groups to read the book with the rest of the County.

Many area high schools will increase availability of the book for their students. Check with your high school librarian to find out if your school will be buying extra copies.

The Big Read will culminate in three major events in mid-April. On Thursday, April 10, JCLC will offer a big-screen presentation of the 1962 film To Kill a Mockingbird at the historic Alabama Theatre with an appearance by Mary Badham, the actress who played "Scout" in the 1962 film. Tickets ($4.00) will be on sale at neighborhood libraries in April and at the door. A ticket entitles the holder to a soda and popcorn.

On Friday, April 11, Hoover Public Library will feature Ms. Badham for a first-come, first-admitted free lecture and casual reception. Mary Badham will talk about her experience playing the role of "Scout" at the age of ten and her subsequent nomination for an Oscar for best supporting actress. She will discuss her acting career (which includes appearances in the movies This Property is Condemned with Robert Redford and Natalie Wood and Let's Kill Uncle) and TV appearances on Dr. Kildare and Twilight Zone. Over the years she maintained close contact with Gregory Peck (who played "Atticus Finch" in the 1962 film To Kill a Mockingbird) and occasionally accompanied him on his lecture tours and award ceremonies.

On Saturday, April 12, the Birmingham Public Library will offer a day-long series of programs for its 10th annual author festival, Alabama Bound. Foregoing its usual panel of Alabama authors, Alabama Bound programming will feature To Kill a Mockingbird. Panelists will include Alabama’s premier historian Dr. Wayne Flynt; Dr. Christopher Metress, Professor of English at Samford University and To Kill a Mockingbird expert (Dr. Metress’s essay "The Rise and Fall of Atticus Finch" was selected for "Notable Essays of 2003" in Best American Essays of 2003.); Assistant Professor in Educational Foundations & UAB Graduate Faculty Member Dr. Tondra Loder-Jackson; actress Mary Badham; and Sandy Jaffe, Birmingham native and producer of the documentary Our Mockingbird, which will be shown in the BPL Arrington Auditorium. Alabama Bound will also feature food and music inspired by 1930s rural Alabama and spoken word performances by local high school students.

projectmockingbird.org—Find an Event!

• There are so many ways to use the projectmockingbird.org site!
• Go to projectmockingbird.org to find events at your local library.
• Participate in the Mockingbird Online Scavenger Hunt and enter a drawing for an MP3 player.
• Use the site to register a found Read-it-Forward book, review the book, and check back often to watch its progress from person to person.
• Use the mockingbird blog to discuss your impressions of the book and The Big Read.
• Register your book group as an official "Big Read" book group.
• Download book discussions and lesson plans and learn about the author, Harper Lee.
• Download Project Mockingbird wallpaper!
• Tell us what you think! Use the online survey to provide quick feedback.