Suwannee River Regional Library has received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to host The Big Read in Suwannee County. Suwannee River Regional Library is one of 208 libraries, municipalities, and arts, culture, higher education, and science organizations to receive a grant to host The Big Read from Sept. 2008-June 2009. The Big Read gives communities the opportunity to come together to read, discuss, and celebrate one of 23 selections from American and world literature. The Big Read in Suwannee County will focus on The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett during February of 2009.

The library partnered with Suwannee County Middle and High Schools to write and submit the grant proposal. Activities based on the book “The Maltese Falcon” will take place in the Live Oak and Branford Libraries and Suwannee High and Middle schools. There will be book discussions at Java Jax in Live Oak, the Whistlestop in Wellborn and at Advent Christian Village. Mystery theater presentations will take place at the Live Oak Artists Guild and Cultural Center, Grace Manor, Advent Christian Village and The Suwannee County Historical Museum. There will be a CSI program at the Live Oak Library and the High School. In addition there will be many events for younger children based on the book “The Malted Falcon” by Bruce Hale. Look for information coming soon about the planned Scavenger and treasure hunts that the Suwannee County 4 H Council is creating.

The Big Read Kick-Off Party starts at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, at the Suwannee River Regional Library, 1848 Ohio Ave. S., Live Oak. Join us for music and dancing from the 1930’s, hors d’oeuvres will be served. Learn dance steps to the music of the era from professional dance instructor Kathleen Johnson.” The Maltese Falcon” Books and Readers Guides will be distributed. The first 50 attendees will be given a free copy of the book.

This is only the first of many events planned the month of February that will involve our entire community. In addition to book discussions throughout the county of The Maltese Falcon and other mystery novels there will also be screenings of the classic Humphrey Bogart movie and other film noir titles.

On Saturday February 7 at 3:30 pm, antique radios will be on display along with a reader’s theater presentation at the Suwannee County Historical Museum. You may call the museum at 362-1776, for more information.

Ever wonder how crimes are solved? Investigate with Detective Finner from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Department as he presents a CSI program on Monday, February 9th, 5:30 pm at the Suwannee River Regional Library in Live Oak. Detective Finner will discuss how to use tools and methods to preserve evidence and acquire necessary facts for an investigation. He will also, demonstrate how law enforcement provides objective detailed reports that aids identification of data, tracks the progress of the case, and communicates the findings of the analysis. The public will then have the opportunity to ask questions and view the inside of the Crime Scene Investigation van.

Monday, February 09 at 7:00 pm the first mystery book discussion will be presented at

Java Jax, 1538 Ohio Ave. S., Live Oak. Join us for an evening of discussion and games, revolving around The Maltese Falcon. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. For more information call Java Jax at 362-4444.

BRANFORD DOINGS

Looking for a mystery in Branford? Stop by the Branford Library on February 10 at 3:30 pm for the movie “The Lady Vanishes.” This 1938 Alfred Hitchcock movie is a suspense thriller that takes place on a train. Call the Branford Library at 386-935-1556 for more information.

On February 11 at 10:00 am the second book discussion will be presented at the Whistle-stop Café and Deli, 12224 County Road 10A in Wellborn. Enjoy a morning of discussion and games revolving around “The Maltese Falcon” or your favorite mystery. Following the fun, lunch will be available for purchase. Bring your friends and neighbors for this literary event. For more information you may call the Whistle-stop at 386-963-1122.

Many book discussions, movies and programs, including a mystery reader’s theater luncheon, and crime scene investigation program, are scheduled throughout Suwannee County during the month. A variety of events are planned for the younger children based on Bruce Hales’ book “The Malted Falcon”.

Pick up the Big Read Brochure at the library and learn more about the programs that are planned! Learn more about the author Dashiell Hammett and the development of noir fiction with free reader’s guides, bookmarks, and CDs available at the Live Oak and Branford libraries.

Log on to the Suwannee River Regional Library Web site (www.neflin.org/srrl/) for more information and a complete schedule.

The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts 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 please visit http://www.neabigread.org. For information about Suwannee County plans please call The Suwannee River Regional Library Youth Services Department at 386-364-3479.