A nationwide program to promote literacy in the community, the Big Read is sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), via Arts Midwest. The grant allows Reed Library at SUNY Fredonia to purchase books for distribution to public libraries and reading groups in both Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties.  This year’s Big Read novel is Jack London’s “The Call of the Wild.”

Tonight’s event is free and open to the public.

• FOR MORE ON THE BIG READ LISTEN TO OUR ARTS ON FIRE INTERVIEW WITH RANDY GADIKIAN FROM FEB. 1, 2013

The event is being called “Lead the Pack to the Big Read” and was selected as the kickoff theme because this year’s book, “The Call of the Wild” by Jack London, is about a sled dog in the Yukon.

Those attending are encouraged to come in appropriate dress for an Alaskan mining town during the Klondike Gold Rush in the late 1800s.

Andrea Dimaio of Tails of the Tundra Siberian Husky Rescue will also be on hand to display her sled dogs and a dog sled. Rescued dogs from the Chautauqua County Humane Society will be on hand, with donations being collected for that organization.

Refreshments will include chili provided by Forte and Coffee Cup restaurants and Elegant Edibles Catering. Dessert will be provided by Ecklof and Jones 212 bakeries.

SUNY Fredonia’s Reed Library was selected to receive a $15,000 grant for this “Wild” project promoting literacy. More than 10,000 copies of the Jack London classic have been distributed throughout the area.

Other Big Read events scheduled at Prendergast Library are a film showing of “The Call of the Wild” at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7; and book discussions at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13 and 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20. Several children’s events are scheduled as well.

Reed Library director Randy Gadikian says the purpose of the Big Read is to bring communities together through books, and these Jamestown events are a perfect example of that happening.

Other Big Read activities that are free and open to the public will be offered throughout the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System.

For more information on all Big-Read activities – including a writing competition for all age groups – go online to Fredonia.edu/BigRead. We will also have an interview with Randy Gadikian to learn more about the Big Read later today during our Arts on Fire Program at 1 p.m.

The Big Read is sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts through Arts Midwest.

Haley is the author of 13 books, including, most recently, “Wolf: The Lives of Jack London” (Basic, 2010).

Haley will present “Rediscovering Jack London” at the 1891 Fredonia Opera House on Thursday, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. The event is free. Opera House doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Other events tied in with this year’s Big Read include a “Lead the Pack to the Big Read” kickoff event at the Prendergast Library on Friday, Feb. 1 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.; An original play written specifically for SUNY Fredonia’s Big Read initiative by SUNY Fredonia Professor of Theatre and Dance Ted Sharon will be performed on Thursday, Feb. 21 at the Reg Lenna Civic Center; and a writing competition with prizes will be held as well.

Copies of “The Call of the Wild” and Haley’s “Wolf: The Lives of Jack London” are available for purchase locally at The Book Nook and other local book distributors.

The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The NEA presents The Big Read in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and in cooperation with Arts Midwest.

For more information about the Big Read and related events, visit: www.fredonia.edu/bigread or join us on Facebook www.facebook.com/groups/BigReadFredonia/.