DIXON PUBLIC LIBRARY ANNOUNCES
“THE BIG READ”

JACK LONDON'S
THE CALL OF THE WILD

The Dixon Public Library invites the community to join in celebrating “THE BIG READ”. Now in its fourth year, the area-wide project will focus on the novel, The Call of the Wild by Jack London. 

The Big Read officially started on January 18th and ends on March 22nd.  The Big Read is a grant initiative from the National Endowment for the Arts.  This is a federal agency dedicated to bringing the arts to all Americans.  The purpose of this grant is to encourage people in the Sauk Valley area to read literature for pleasure.  The Big Read hopes to unite communities through great literature as well as inspire students to become lifelong readers. 

As a partner in the project, the library is encouraging everyone to read The Call of the Wild and participate in activities held throughout the Sauk Valley.  Dixon Public Library Director Lynn Roe tells us:  "Because this book is about dog sledding and the Iditarod is in March, my goal is to have at least 1,049 people in Dixon read the book (not counting students) - one for every mile of the Iditarod race."  Multiple copies of the featured title will be available at the library.  Learn more about the book.  Also, visit the library if you would like other books by Jack London or if you would like to read this book in another format.  We have it on CD, large print, annotated, play away and MP3.

Download/Print Sauk Valley BIG READ - Activities Brochure

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The Big Read Creative Writing Contest is now open to all middle school  and high school students (middle school and high schoold students will be participating through their schools) and adults residing within the Sauk Valley Community College district.  Participants may submit short stories of 1000 - 3000 words (adults and high school students), 500 -3000 words (middle school students), and/or poetry in any form.  Each original entry must be accompanied by a brief Artist's Statement of up to 200 words explaining how Jack Londons's The Call of the Wild inspired the poem or story. 

Students must submit entries to sponsoring teacher by Tuesday, February 16th.  Deadline for adult submissions to their local public libraries is Friday, February 26th.  Three overall winners in each category will be selected; adults will receive $100, high school students $75, and middle school students $50.  Winners will be announced March 22nd at Sauk Valley Community College, and may have an opportunity to read from their works.

Download/Print Short Story & Poetry Contests Brochure

Adult Short Story Contest Requirements:

    Download/Print Adult Short Story Contest - Official Cover Sheet

Adult Poetry contest Requirements:

Download/Print Adult Poetry Contest - Official Cover Sheet

Note:

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The Big Read Photography Contest will showcase and promote the talents of local photographic artists of the Sauk Valley.  The contest is open to artists in three categories:  middle school, high school, and adult.  Each original entry must be accompanied by a brief Artist's Statement of up to 200 words explaining how Jack London's The Call of the Wild inspired the work.

All entries must be received at Woodlawn Arts Academy in Sterling by Monday, March 8th.  Winners will be notified by March 15th.  An awards reception will be held at Sauk Valley Community College March 22nd.  Prizes for the top three winners in each category are:  middle school, $50; high school, $75; adult, $100.  Winning artists' works will be exhibited at SVCC March 22nd through March 27th.  Information is available from the Academy's website, www.woodlawnartsacademy.com. 

Download/Print Photography Contest/Application Form

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The Dixon Public Library will hold Book Discussions of The Call of the Wild on Tuesday, February 16th in the Library Meeting Room.  The first will be at noon and the second in the evening.  Pizza will be served at both meetings.

Date: Tuesday, Feb 16, 2010
Time: 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Date: Tuesday, Feb 16, 2010
Time: 6:00pm – 7:30pm

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In the Youth Services Department there will be a special Craft Day on Saturday, February 13th. The Theme is make someone "Wildly" Happy by decorating and giving some "Call of the Wild" themed cookies to your Valentine.

Find the “Gold” at the library during the month of March. Starting March 1st kids can search in the Children’s Department of the library to find the “gold” (gold foil-covered chocolate coins). Whoever finds the coin gets to keep it and hide another coin.

The Youth Department will also host a special Preschool Family Night Monday, March 29th at 6:00 p.m. for children.  The program is entitled:  Gold Fever at the Library!  Kids will learn about gold and how to find it.  They will get to try panning for gold, go on a pretend gold rush, and search for "gold" in the library.  We'll also make a "gold" refrigerator magnet and play winter bingo.

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Monday March 1st – Movie & Popcorn. There’s no school but the library is open! The movie Snow Dogs will be shown in the meeting room from 2:00-4:00. Don’t forget to check out some books too!

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The Dixon Public Library will be showing the movie The Call of the Wild starring Charlton Heston at the Historic Dixon Theater.  The movie is 100 minutes long and is rated PG. The date will be Friday, March 5th from 7-9. Admission is FREE!  See Movie Poster

Thank you to KSB Hospital for sponsoring this event.

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Join in the Radio Trivia Contest.  Dixon Public Library's Monday morning WIXN Radio programs will feature a "Call of the Wild" Trivia Contest.

Event Location: WIXN Radio Station 1460 AM, Dixon, IL 61081

Date: Mon, Feb 1, 2010, Time: 9:15am
Date: Mon, Feb 8, 2010,Time: 9:15am
Date: Mon, Feb 15, 2010, Time: 9:15am
Date: Mon, Feb 22, 2010, Time: 9:15am

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Local program sponsors include Dixon, Sterling, and Rock Falls Public Libraries, Dixon, Sterling, Rock Falls, and Newman High Schools, Woodlawn Arts Academy, and Sauk Valley Community College.  The purpose of the project is to encourage literary reading for pleasure and enlightenment.  Go to:  http://www.neabigread.org/communities/?community_id=1095 to see what other BIG READ activities are going on around the Sauk Valley area.

“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. Further information is available at www.neabigread.org.