Big Read

The Quincy Public Library and Great Debate Books are proud to offer the first city-wide BIG READ in Quincy, IL.  The BIG READ is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts, designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. 

The book chosen by the Illinois State Library, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, has achieved the rare distinction of being both a literary classic and perennial best seller.  In a gripping story at once disturbing and poetic, Bradbury takes the materials of pulp fiction and transforms them into a visionary parable of a society gone awry, in which firemen burn books and the state suppresses learning.  Meanwhile the citizenry sits by in a drug-induced and media-saturated indifference.  More relevant than ever a half-century later, the book awakens our imagination and enlarges our humanity.

DISCUSS IT!

Join the Library book clubs as they explore the central themes of the classic science fiction novel Fahrenheit 451.  They meet at the following dates and locations:

All Over the Page
Tuesday, September 9 at 7:00 p.m.
Panera Bread Company

UnShelved
Wednesday, September 10 at 1:30 p.m.
Library Meeting Room

TEENS ONLY Book Club
Wednesday, September 10 at 5:00 p.m.
Library Meeting Room

Literary Angles
Tuesday, September 16 at 1:30 p.m.
Library Meeting Room

Future World Sci-Fi Film Series

Monday, September 15, 22 and 29
Quincy Public Library Meeting Room

The Future World Sci-Fi Film Series will highlight alternative “futuristic” visions of society, culminating with the 1966 film Fahrenheit 451.  The first film, The Island, will be shown on September 15th at 6:00 p.m. and portrays a man on the run after he discovers that he is actually a "harvested being", and is being kept along with others in a utopian facility.  The second film in the Future World Sci-Fi film series, Gattaca, will be shown on September 22 at 6:00 p.m. in the Library Meeting Room.  Gattaca Corp. is an aerospace firm in the future. During this time society analyzes DNA which determines your place in life. Ethan Hawke's character is born with a congenital heart condition which eliminates his chance for space travel.  To achieve his dreams, he assumes the identity of an athlete with impeccable genes.   The final film, Fahrenheit 451, will be shown on Friday, September 29th at 6:00 p.m.   Popcorn and refreshments will be provided.  Call 223-1309 ext. 207 for reservations or go online to www.quincylibrary.org.

Virtual Wars: Censorship Online

Wednesday, October 1st at 6:00 p.m.
Library Meeting Room

In the 21st century, censorship not only affects the printed word, but the digital word as well. Virtual Wars will explore the freedom of speech challenges of a digital generation. Teens, the population most affected by the digital age, are invited to discuss their views at this open forum.  This program will explore the history of banned sites and historic legal cases outlining internet regulations. 

Farenheit 451: From Fiction to Reality?

Friday, October 3rd at 6:00 p.m.
Great Debate Books, 535 Maine. 

This discussion will be moderated by experts in different fields of interest, such as media, psychology, law, and literature and will  serve primarily to answer these "burning" questions from the book: is literature a reflection of society or is society a reflection of literature?; are the topics raised in the book such as freedom of expression and censorship still relevant today?; has Bradbury's fictitious world come to fruition in our lifetimes?; what does the book say about the way our society works?; is the printed word still a valid and relevant form of expression in modern society?; and ultimately, what place does "the book" have in the modern world? 

Whether you read the book, join the community discussion, or catch a film; we hope you will take time out of your schedule to support the BIG READ mission to restore reading to the center of our community!  Special Thanks to the Quincy Fire Department, Illinois State Library, and Quincy Society of Fine Arts for supporting a community of readers!