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Home , It Came from Outer Space, Ray Bradbury, Sam Weller (journalist), The Big Read

The Poughkeepsie by

October 5 - November 2

The Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. is designed to revitalize the role of in American culture and to encourage citizens to read for pleasure and enlightenment.

Big Read Explores Stay in Touch Tomorrow’s News Landscape the Power of Books This year you can follow The Big Read on : PPLD@poklib #TheBigReadPok, receive Big Read On Tuesday, October 14, Ray Bradbury wrote Fahrenheit Stuart Shinske, Executive 451 in 1953 in the basement of photos on your devices and make comments about the state of culture, technology, books, etc., on Facebook. Editor of the Poughkeepsie the UCLA library on a public Journal, speaks about the . He paid a dime for ‘Like’ us on Facebook at Poughkeepsie Public Library District (PPLD). For background information on Ray enormous changes taking each half hour of typewriter access place in journalism today. His talk looks at the future and took writing breaks to run Bradbury or Fahrenheit 451, dig into www.raybradbury.com or www.neabigread.org. of print news and how technology helps, and hurts, the upstairs into the stacks in search collection and dissemination of serious news. Are we a of appropriate quotes from classic literature to include better informed citizenry, or simply awash in a sea of in the work. Building on several short stories he had Tweets and tiny sound-bytes? previously written, he completed the book in nine days. One question that emerges from Bradbury’s dystopian Big Read Guest Speakers Role of the Bible look at a future America is “Why should we read books?” and it is this question that ignites our Big Read. Bradbury Biographer in Fahrenheit 451 On Sunday, October This is the eighth year that the Library District has at Opening 19, our guest speaker is received a grant from the National Endowment for , who spent hundreds Dr. Christopher Link, the Arts in support of a Big Read program. As in past of hours with Ray Bradbury Associate Professor of years, local businesses and organizations match the grant while writing the biography English at SUNY New Paltz. Dr. Link received his PhD funding. Countless educators, libraries, arts and civic The Bradbury Chronicles, says the in Religion and Literature from Boston University and organizations have been planning for the past 11 months author wished he hadn’t landed BFA in Film from NYU. His topic will be the role of to create meaningful opportunities for readers of all ages a bull’s-eye with some of his predictions. In Fahrenheit the Bible in Fahrenheit 451. Dr. Link regularly teaches to explore the power of books together. The Little Read 451, Bradbury predicted a future with remarkable courses on the Bible, American Literature, Great Books, companion book is The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. In technological advances, including wall-size flat-panel and film, and also teaches the Novel, Asian Classics, and addition to the many middle and high school students televisions and iPod-style earbuds. His dystopian tale myth. He teaches Fahrenheit 451, both the book and who will read this work, we encourage adults to read about censorship also foretold of a people addicted film, as part of his Fiction into Film course at New Paltz. this book as well. to, and isolated by, mass-media sensory overload. “We talked many times about technology,” says Weller, who is coming to Poughkeepsie on Sunday, October 5. Many booksellers and scholars credit Bradbury’s and Technology Fahrenheit 451 for bringing the genre of science fiction “At the end of the day, he felt that the disconnect Dr. Angela Laflen, Associate literature into the mainstream of American readership. between people because of technology was alarming. Professor of English at Marist Fahrenheit 451 challenges us with visions of fast cars, He would say, ‘Quit staring at your phones and start College, is our guest speaker two-way radios, wall-size television screens, ear-buds, talking with the people in front of you.’” on Sunday, October 26. computerized robots, government surveillance, and a Dr. Laflen received degrees population lulled into mindlessness…is this the stuff Weller’s book The Bradbury Chronicles: The Life of Ray from Northern Kentucky and Purdue Universities. She of science fiction, or is this a glimpse of America’s Bradbury was a Times best seller, winner teaches in the areas of Literature and Gender, Digital tomorrow? Throughout our Big Read, readers of all of the 2005 Society of Midland Authors Award for Writing, and Technical Communication, and she will be ages will explore the fantastic and often chilling alternate Best Biography, and a finalist. teaching Fahrenheit 451 this fall in a course for senior realities presented in science fiction works. The companion book, Listen to the Echoes: The Ray Bradbury Interviews, was published by Melville House/ English majors. She is author of Confronting Visuality in Multi-Ethnic Women’s Literature and co-editor of Gender Big Read Selfie Stop Smiling Books in 2010. With Castle, Weller co-edited the anthology Shadow Show: All-New Stories in Scripts in Medicine and Narrative. Dr. Laflen will focus Late in Fahrenheit 451, the Celebration of Ray Bradbury (William Morrow Paperbacks, her presentation on Bradbury’s use of technology in protagonist discovers a colony July 2012), winner of the 2013 Bram Stoker Award for Fahrenheit 451 and the of this singular work on of people who have memorized “Superior Achievement in an Anthology.” Weller is the the broader science fiction genre. entire works of literature in order Associate Chair of the Department of Creative Writing to save them from extinction. at Columbia College Chicago. Joe Donahue on Books In keeping with that theme, we Many Hudson Valley residents invite you to consider what book From Paper to Celluloid are well-acquainted with the you would save. Ray Bradbury Maria Pranzo, Mill Street Loft staff On Wednesday, October 8, as engaging personality of Joe responded to this question by a lead-in to the screening of Donahue from WAMC Public claiming he would save by Charles Fahrenheit 451 at the Bardavon, Radio. Joe is the host of WAMC’s Dickens because it is about life, death, and the hope John Desmond, Associate Professor weekday Roundtable program, and that is offered to those who recognize what is truly of English at SUNY Dutchess, also interviews authors for The important in life. What book would you pick? When will examine the details of the Book Show. The son of a librarian, Joe is a voracious you’ve made your choice, send us an email naming the 1966 Francois Truffaut film adaptation. John is the reader, an advocate of books, and a tireless promoter book and explaining why you feel so strongly about it. If author, with Peter Hawkes, of Adaptation: Studying Film of all things cultural and educational. He is an award- you can, also send us a photo of yourself with the book, and Literature, a book frequently used as a text for college winning interviewer with an uncanny knack for eliciting or a piece of paper with the title and author on it. Send courses on film adaptation. He teaches a course in the extraordinary insights from authors about their books, it to [email protected] Many of our Big Read English Department at Dutchess Community College in the writing process, and the power of the written Partners will be collecting similar recommendations Film and Literature. word. Joe will speak with our Big Read audience on from readers and we plan to compile them for screening Wednesday, October 29, about the joy of books and at our Closing Event. will share highlights from his many author interviews. For program details, see poklib.org or brochure The Big Read: October 5 - November 2 * Program requires registration Indicates Little Read Program

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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Morning, Various Schools 4 pm, Adriance* 3 pm, Adriance* 1:30 pm, Adriance 3 pm, Adriance* 11 am, Grinnell Public Library* Sam Weller speaks about Bradbury Fahrenheit 451: Teens Create Flaming Big Read Matinee: Storm Center (1954) Teens Build a Fahrenheit 451 Mural American Girl Doll Club in local High Schools Collage Workshop Book Cinemagraph 2 pm, Hyde Park Free Library* 5:30 pm, LaGrange Association Library* Read about Caroline Abbott for Tweens with Mill Street Loft Saving Texts: Repairing & Preserving Books Burnt Pages Nail Art Artist Christine Livesey 2 pm, Collegeview Tower 6:30 pm, Staatsburg Library* 6:30 pm, LaGrange Association Library* 7 pm, Adriance Discussion of Fahrenheit 451 Lego Night – Fire Trucks/Stations 4 pm, Adriance* Artist Cyber-Bullying Prevention Night on the Town Time in a Bottle Strauss 6:30 pm, Morton Library/Rhinecliff 6:30 pm, Highland Public Library* Lego Mania – Fire Trucks! 5 – 6:30 pm 2:30 pm, The Auditorium on her Gallery Movie Night at Morton Hall - 1984 Restaurant Specials The Big Read Opening Exhibit 7 pm, Adriance 7 pm, Adriance 7 pm, Bardavon Bradbury’s biographer, Sam Weller, shares Pre-Show Organ Concert Adaptation of Book to Film Tomorrow’s News Landscape insight and stories about Bradbury. Stuart Shinske, Exec Ed, Poughkeepsie Journal 7:30 pm, Bardavon with Professor John Desmond Fahrenheit 451 Screening 7:30 pm, Hyde Park Free Library Movie: (1953)

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Columbus Day Holiday 3:15 pm, Coyote Grill 1:30 pm, Adriance 6:30 pm, LaGrange Association Library* Spack Readers Discuss Fahrenheit 451 Big Read Matinee: 1984 (1984) Teen Quiz Night - The Hunger Games Great Day to read or 4 pm, Adriance* 3:30 pm, Vassar College 7:15 pm, Hyde Park re-read the book! Little R.E.A.D. Book Discussion FLLAC* Free Library 5 pm, Pleasant Valley Free Library * The Art of Printing in Bradbury Movie 6:30 pm, Howland Public Library* Lego Night – Fire Safety Vehicles Renaissance Germany Series: The Beast Ignite Your Dreams 6 pm, Adriance* from 20,000 6:30 pm, Hyde Park Free Library Teen & Tween R.E.A.D. Book Discussion Fathoms (1953) Take a Big Read Selfie 7 pm, St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church 8 pm, The Beacon Theatre Teens/Tweens Discuss The Book Thief 8 pm, The Beacon Theatre Email your book selfie with a short 7 pm, FDR Presidential Library & Museum Dramatic Reading of Fahrenheit 451 Staged Reading of Fahrenheit 45 Panel Discussion-Dangerous Expressions: Staged Reading of Fahrenheit 451 explanation to [email protected] 7 pm, Marlboro Free Library Fahrenheit 451 and the of Ideas Fahrenheit 451 Screening & Discussion 7 pm, Pleasant Valley Free Library* Open Discussion of Fahrenheit 451

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2:30 pm, The Auditorium 12 pm, Howland Public Library 1 pm, College View Tower* 12 pm, Hyde Park Free Library* 2 pm, Vassar Warner

Fahrenheit 451 Concert - Censored Music of the Past Big Read Book Discussion Big Read Book Discussion Residence* and the Bible in Literature 4 pm, Adriance* 4 pm, Adriance Beacon High School Jazz Band 1 pm, LaGrange Association Library* 3 pm, Adriance* Screening of SUNY New Paltz Professor Christopher Workshop - Storytelling 6 pm, LaGrange Association Library* Screening of Fahrenheit 451 Altered Books The Book Thief Link examines Bradbury’s use of biblical Workshop for Little Readers Workshop with Big Read Book Discussion 1:30 pm, Adriance references. Tweens & Teens Write Jonathan Kruk 6 pm, Highland Public Library* Big Read Matinee: Network (1976) 6 pm, Adriance Friends Book Club Discussion 6 pm, Pleasant Valley Free Library* 6:30 pm, Beekman Library* 7 pm, Beekman Library La Censura de 451 de Bradbury, 7 pm, Beekman Library* Screening of Fahrenheit 451 7 pm, Grinnell Public Library Big Read Book Discussion a la censura de los immigrantes Movie Night – Fahrenheit 451 “Reading Fear” Literary Salon Reader’s Rendezvous Book Club 6:30 pm, Howland Public Library* en Estados Unidos 6:30 pm, Hyde Park Free Library* 7 pm, Staatsburg Library* Altered Books for Teens/Tweens 7 pm, Adriance Creating Hand-Stitched Journals Creating Blackout Poetry with Bill Joel 6:30 pm, Hyde Park Free Library* Friends Big Read Book Discussion 3 pm, The Beacon Theatre 7 pm, Staatsburg Library* 7 pm, Highland Public Library* 7:15 pm, Hyde Park Free Library Big Read Book Discussion led by C. Ryan Kinlaw Staged Reading of Fahrenheit 451 Big Read Book Discussion Save A Book Discussion Bradbury Movie Series: Moby Dick (1956)

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2 pm, Vassar Warner Residence* 3 pm, FDR Presidential Library & Museum 1:30 pm, Adriance 7:15 pm, Hyde Park Free Library Discussion of Favorite Books For the Love of Books Big Read Bradbury Movie Series: (1968) 2:30 pm, Howland Public Library* with WAMC’s Joe Donahue Matinee: Finding

Scholar-led Big Read Book Discussion Forrester (2000) with Dr. James Cotter All day, Various Schools 7 pm, Adriance Graphic Novel Creator Tim Hamilton 3:30 pm, Marist College Fontaine Hall 2:30 pm, The Auditorium A Spark of Happiness Adapting Fahrenheit 451 to graphic novel form Debate – Is Censorship Ever Fahrenheit 451 Launches a Genre 4 pm, Adriance* Appropriate? Marist College Professor Angela Laflen Hurray for Heroes! examines Bradbury’s use of technology in 7 pm, Highland Public Library Fahrenheit 451 and the impact of the novel 6 pm, Green Haven Correctional Facility Teen Big Read Book Cover Redesign on the science fiction genre. Big Read Book Discussion

2 Location and Registration 2:30 pm, The Auditorium Information Bardavon 1869 Opera House Beekman Library FDR Presidential Library & Museum Howland Public Library Marist College Morton Memorial Library St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church Big Read Closing - Poughkeepsie Public Library District 35 Market Street, Poughkeepsie 11 Town Center Blvd, Hopewell Junction Henry A. Wallace Center 313 Main Street, Beacon Henry Hudson Room, Fontaine Hall 82 Kelly Street, Rhinecliff Old Post Road/E. Elm Avenue 845-473-2072, bardavon.org 845-724-3414, beekmanlibrary.org 845-831-1134, beaconlibrary.org 845-876-2903, morton.rhinecliff.lib.ny.us/ Staatsburgh, 845-889-4181 A Celebration of Books & Friends of PPLD 4079 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park 3399 North Road, Poughkeepsie 845-486-7770 845-485-3445, poklib.org Pleasant Valley Free Library Barnes & Noble Collegeview Tower Hyde Park Library Annex Marlboro Free Library Vassar College Grinnell Public Library 1584 Main Street, Pleasant Valley Adriance Memorial Library 2518 South Road, Poughkeepsie 141 Fulton Avenue, Poughkeepsie 2 Main Street, Hyde Park 1251 Route 9W, Marlboro Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center 2642 East Main Street, Wappingers Falls 845-635-8460, pleasantvalleylibrary.org 93 Market Street, Poughkeepsie 845-485-2224 Marcia @ 845-471-1241 845-229-7791, hydeparkfreelibrary.org 845- 236-7272, marlborolibrary.org 124 Raymond Avenue, Poughkeepsie 845-297-3428, grinnell-library.org 845-437-7745, fllac.vassar.edu The Auditorium Staatsburg Library Beacon Theatre/4th Wall Productions Coyote Grill LaGrange Association Library Register at poklib.org 105 Market Street, Poughkeepsie Highland Public Library Mill Street Loft 70 Old Post Road, Staatsburg 445 Main Street, Beacon 2629 South Road, Poughkeepsie 488 Freedom Plains Road, Suite 109, 30 Church Street, Highland 45 Pershing Avenue, Poughkeepsie 845-889-4683, staatsburglibrary.org 845-226-8099, thebeacontheatre.org Bonnie @ 845-876-5696 845-691-2275, highlandlibrary.org Poughkeepsie, 845-452-3141, laglib.org 845-471-7477, millstreetloft.org Vassar Warner Senior Residence 52 S. Hamilton Street, Poughkeepsie Donna Slavin @ 845-454-3754 x 26 The Big Read Around the Region Poughkeepsie High, Oakwood Friends School, John Jay High, Sparks Interest Banned Books Warwick Valley High, Keystone at Local Schools The American Library Association has designated High, and one home-schooled September 21 – 27 as Banned Books Week, and we It seems that this year’s Big Read has student. The works were are excited about the intersection of issues highlighted inspired and engaged educators at judged by Linda Marsten-Reid, during this week and the issues raised in Fahrenheit 451. many institutions, from elementary Executive Director of Arts Look for knowledgeable students and inspired artists school through to adult education! Mid-Hudson, and Julie Hering, sharing information about Banned Books throughout Several local high schools will host Ray Bradbury’s Graphic Designer with the Poughkeepsie during the September 20 Queen City biographer, Sam Weller, on Monday, October 6, and Library District. 1st - Max Samson, Spackenkill Saturday. illustrator Tim Hamilton on Monday, October 27. The top prize winners in the 2014 Big Read Teen Hamilton created the authorized graphic novel version Getting Involved of Fahrenheit 451, available in libraries and bookstores. Art Contest are: 1st – Max Samson (Spackenkill 11th The Big Read brings great literature to numerous book His illustrations have been published in the New York grade), 2nd – Isabel Long (Spackenkill 9th grade) and clubs throughout the Mid-Hudson Region, and we Times, Nickelodeon Magazine, DC Comics and in many 3rd – Deeanna Ouimet (Spackenkill Senior). The three look forward to hearing what books they would save if other print and electronic outlets. He will speak to artists receiving Honorable Mentions are: Catherine threatened with extinction! The Girls Lit Club at Mill students about books, illustrating, and the process of Pomeroy, (Oakwood School 9th grade), Nathan Liang, Street Loft will read Zusak’s The Book Thief, and the adapting Fahrenheit 451 to graphic novel format. (Spackenkill 9th grade) and Leona Lau, (Spackenkill Dutchess ARC Day Program participants will create a 10th grade). Congratulations to all our student artists! work of art inspired by Fahrenheit 451. The Children’s All of the Poughkeepsie City School You can see their art in this insert and in other Big Read Media Project staff is planning programs and professional District’s fourth graders will join promotional materials. development opportunities for local schools and libraries, The Little Read as they study a in support of The Big Read. Green Haven Correctional booklet from their Reading A to The artwork will also be exhibited at Facility also received books for a discussion group and Z curriculum. The Friends of the Mill Street Loft, 45 Pershing Avenue Writers’ Group. Some of their short stories will be read Poughkeepsie Public Library District in Poughkeepsie, from September 20 aloud at Beekman’s Literary Salon on October 25. We are supporting the printing of the through October 14. Mill Street Loft anticipate some great Big Read Selfies from our civic booklet. The BOCES Salt Point will host an Opening Reception on leaders and fire station crews voting for their ‘book to Education Center middle school Saturday, September 20 at 5:30 pm. save’ in defiance of Montag’s Captain Beatty! Spackenkill 3rd – Deeanna Ouimet, students will study The Little Read companion book, Many partnering libraries plan to The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak. have online discussion forums and also galleries of patron Dinner and a Movie photos. Check your local library’s website frequently for Big Read art. Other exhibits to look for include: Many of our local high schools have received copies Friday, October 10 is a great time of Fahrenheit 451 and plan to teach it this fall; Hyde to celebrate a Big Read Night on An artistic representation of books mentioned in Park, Arlington, Lourdes, Spackenkill, Poughkeepsie, the Town. From 5 to 6:30 pm, Fahrenheit 451 – SUNY/Dutchess Community College and Wappingers schools are a part of The Big Read. many restaurants in downtown Library and other locations Professors at SUNY/Dutchess and Marist College will Poughkeepsie offer Big Read Censorship Display – Pleasant Valley Free Library also be teaching the book. Marist College personnel are specials. The list of participating Banned Books Mug Shots – LaGrange Association spearheading two events on censorship, and the Beacon eateries is available online and in Library High School Jazz Band is learning previously censored The Big Read brochure. Each Town Portraits: The Book I’d Save – Marlboro Free jazz music. The Ridley-Lowell Business and Technical restaurant offers something different, so check before Library and various Marlboro businesses Institute also received copies of Fahrenheit 451 to use in you go. Then the Bardavon hosts a 7 pm organ concert their school-wide book discussion. on the mighty Wurlitzer organ presented by the New Art Between the Pages: Rebecca C. Strauss & John York Theatre Organ Society. At 7:30 pm, the Bardavon Breiner – Adriance’s Mary Wojtecki Rotunda Gallery The BOCES Adult Learning Institute screens the 1966 Francois Truffaut classic adaptation of will use Fahrenheit 451 in all of Fahrenheit 451. Although it is an imperfect rendering of Celebrate with their adult literacy classes and in the book, the movie stands the test of time, offering a Edible Books their classes at Daytop Village and delightful evening’s entertainment. Tickets to the movie the County’s Intensive Treatment will be available free of charge to Library District patrons Celebrate the close of The Alternative Program (ITAP). The beginning late September and $6.00 at the door. Big Read with an edible 2nd – Isabel Long, Spackenkill 2nd – Isabel Long, Marist Center for Lifetime Study salute to the books we love! institute has scheduled a four week course on Fahrenheit Yes, bakers and culinary artists of all sorts are invited 451, expanding The Big Read’s educational reach this Inspiring Visual Art to submit ‘edible books’ for judging and devouring on year. And to help prepare teachers and library staff who It has become a local tradition for the Library District Sunday, November 2! Every fork has a vote. For details will lead these various classes and book discussions, the to challenge high school students to create art based on the edible book contest, contact Jewel Ratzlaff at Bard College Institute for Writing and Thinking offers on themes from The Big Read literature. This year [email protected]. a pre-Big Read workshop on Thursday, October 2, 36 students submitted work to the Big Read Teen entitled Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451: An Imagined World or Art Contest. The works varied in style and media For more Big Read information, see NEAbigread.org Today’s Reality? and were created by students from Spackenkill High, and poklib.org, or call 845-485-3445 x 3372.

“You don’t have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.” – Ray Bradbury

The Big Read Poughkeepsie is a program of: The National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest

And the following local generous sponsors: Riverside Bank TD Charitable Foundation Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union Norman & Jeannie Greene The Friends of PPLD

With the cooperation of the following partners:

Arlington Central School District FDR Presidential Library and Museum Marlboro Free Library Arts Mid-Hudson Friends of PPLD Mill Street Loft Bardavon 1869 Opera House Friends of Hyde Park Free Library Our Lady of Lourdes High School Bard College Institute for Writing and Thinking Friends of Staatsburg Library Pleasant Valley Public Library Barnes & Noble Fulton Avenue Book Club Poughkeepsie City School District Beacon Theatre/Fourth Wall Productions Green Haven Correctional Facility Poughkeepsie Public Library District Beekman Library Grinnell Public Library Ridley-Lowell Business and Technical Institute Center for Lifetime Study Highland Public Library Spackenkill Union Free School District Children’s Media Project Howland Public Library Spackenkill Readers’ Book Club Dutchess ARC Hyde Park Free Library Staatsburg Library Dutchess BOCES Adult Learning Institute Hyde Park Central School District Wappingers Central School District Dutchess BOCES Salt Point Center LaGrange Association Library Vassar College/Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center Dutchess Community College Literacy Connections Vassar Temple Sisterhood Book Club Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce Marist College Vassar Warner Senior Residence