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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>We are very pleased to announce that…<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#0070C0'>SUPERIOR DISTRICT LIBRARY ONE OF 77 ORGANIZATIONS NATIONWIDE TO RECEIVE AN NEA BIG READ GRANT<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#0070C0'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#0070C0'>The Superior District Library, made up of eight libraries throughout the Eastern Upper Peninsula, is a recipient of a grant of $9,000 to host the NEA Big Read in our various communities. A program of the National Endowment for the Arts, the NEA Big Read broadens our understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book. The Superior District Library is one of only 77 nonprofit organizations nationwide to receive a grant to host an NEA Big Read project between September 2016 and June 2017. The NEA Big Read will focus on The Stories and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe. Activities will take place during September and October of 2016. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#0070C0'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#0070C0'>Jane Chu, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, said, “I have the opportunity to travel around the country and see the way the arts can inspire, allow for reflection, and create new experiences. I look forward to the creative ways these 77 organizations will bring their communities together around a great work of literature through their participation in the NEA Big Read.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#0070C0'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#0070C0'>Managed by Arts Midwest, the NEA Big Read offers grants to support innovative community reading programs designed around a single book. The program supports organizations across the country in developing community-wide reading programs which encourage reading and participation by diverse audiences. Organizations selected to participate in the NEA Big Read receive a grant, access to online training resources and opportunities, and educational and promotional materials designed to support widespread community involvement.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#0070C0'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#0070C0'>The Superior District Library will be partnering with various local organizations, including Lake Superior State University, the Kenneth J. Shouldice Library of LSSU, the Chippewa County Historical Society, the Upper Peninsula Paranormal Research Society, and the Ojibwe Learning Center and Library. Programs will be for all age groups, across our eight communities, and will include books talks, author visits with Frederick Stonehouse, cemetery walks, story times and programs, presentations by the UPPRS, trivia nights, school programs, and much more. Times and dates will be announced soon on the Superior District Library Facebook page, as well as our affiliate libraries.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#0070C0'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#0070C0'>Our kickoff event is scheduled for Sunday, September 11th from 1:00pm-4:00pm at the Crow’s Nest in the Cisler Center on the Lake Superior State University’s campus. The event will be a family oriented Open House, complete with refreshments one would have seen at a typical 1830’s afternoon tea, games and activities, and perhaps even a visit from Edgar Allan Poe himself. The event is free and open to the public, and parking will be available on campus. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#0070C0'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#0070C0'>For more information about the NEA Big Read, please visit www.neabigread.org<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Lisa Waskin, Director<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Superior District Library<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>541 Library Drive<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Ph. (906) 632-9331<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Fax (906) 635-0210<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:lisaw@uproc.lib.mi.us">lisaw@uproc.lib.mi.us</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>