The Big Read: Two Old School Book Discussions on April 30

Saturday  |  April 18, 2015  |  11:24 AM

News Release:  Two Old School Book Discussions on April 30 

Readers can participate in two Old School book discussions on Thursday, April 30, as part of The Big Read.  Free copies of the Tobias Wolff novel will be available at The Big Read Kick-off on Saturday, April 25, at the Massillon Museum, along with free readers' guides and bookmarks listing the complete schedule of The Big Read events.

The Massillon Museum will host a book discussion on April 30, 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., at the Massillon Museum. During the discussion of Tobias Wolff’s novel, Old School, readers may participate with as little or as much reading as they have completed.  Massillon Museum Education and Outreach Coordinator Heather Haden, who has orchestrated The Big Read for the Massillon Museum, will lead the first discussion. 

Mary Rooks, PhD, assistant professor of English, will lead a discussion the same evening, April 30, at the Kent State University at Stark campus library conference center, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Both events are free and open to the public. Reservations are not required. Additional discussions will be held at various locations throughout The Big Read led by Massillon Public Library staff, retired Washington High School English teacher David Harding, Gwendolyn Kiste, and Massillon Public Library Director Sherie Brown.

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. The Big Read brings together partners across the country to encourage reading for pleasure and enlightenment.

Local partners include the Massillon Public Library; Stark Parks; Kent State University and Kent State University at Stark; Massillon/North Canton Elks #2029; Rotary Club of Massillon; the Massillon Area Chamber of Commerce; Washington High School Drama Department; the Stark County Convention and Visitors’ Bureau; and many community volunteers. 

Call 330-833-4061 or visit massillonmuseum.org for complete information about the other 30 events, exhibitions, and classes that augment The Big Read. For more information about the national initiative, visit NEABigRead.org.

Media Contacts:

Heather Haden  -  Massillon Museum Education and Outreach Coordinator  -  330.833.4061

Margy Vogt  -  Massillon Museum Public Relations Coordinator  -  330-844-1525