Big Read Program Booking its Way Back to the Suburbs

Something big is going on at the

For the seventh year in a row, the Woodridge facility joins nine other local libraries to offer the Big Read program, which encourages patrons to read the same book with the goal of promoting reading, sparking discussion and building community.

This year’s book pick, Zeitoun by Chicago native Dave Eggers, tells the true story of a Syrian-born businessman who lived in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. He paddled through his town in a canoe offering help to his neighbors until one day he abruptly disappeared and was imprisoned as a suspected terrorist.

For the first time, a children's book has also been chosen for the program: A Place Where Hurricanes Happen by Renee Watson. The book, written in free verse, tells the story of how four friends are affected by Hurrican Katrina. There are separate programs for the children's portion for the program, which is called Kids Read, Too!

Kay Kohut, reference librarian and program coordinator at the Woodridge Public Library, said patrons look forward to the Big Read program each year.

"People come to expect it," Kohut said. "There's a lot of interest in it. In the month leading up to it, people ask what book it's going to be."

Patrons can attend any of the nearly 40 programs, plus book discussions, scheduled during March and April at the 10 participating libraries, including Clarendon Hills, Downers Grove, Hinsdale, Indian Prairie, La Grange, La Grange Park, Lisle, Thomas Ford, Westmont and Woodridge.

Melissa Doornbos, publicity and program coordinator at the , said books are generally chosen that will lend themselves to good discussion and a variety of programming options.

In Zeitoun, Eggers highlights the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina and post–9/11 life for Arabs and Muslims in the United States, and reveals the incompetence of relief efforts sent to help the people of New Orleans.

“I think the discussion is going to be interesting,” Doornbos said. “The book has some controversial topics in it. It’s a good chance for people to get out there and express their opinions.”

Sheri Daun-Bedford, head of the children's department at the Woodridge Public Library, said the libraries chose the children's book after the adult title had been chosen to fall into the same theme.

Kohut said patrons go to programs at surrounding libraries just like other libraries' patrons travel to the Woodridge Public Library for programs.

She said participation for the library's book discussion is higher than normal this year. So far, 20 people have signed up for Woodridge's book discussion on Monday, March 29.

There is an assortment of children's programs planned at the libraries, as well. But Daun-Bedford said whether or not the Kids Read, Too! will continue in the future is uncertain.

"It's hard to do programs during the year because they already have so much on their plate," Daun-Bedford said.

"They have to read for school. They have to read for Accelerated Reader. There's Battle of the Books, Rebecca Caudill, they have so many things going on. It's hard to get kids in for the programs. We have much better luck during the summer."

So far, turnout for the Kids Read, Too! programs hasn't been what the libraries expected.

"Hinsdale and Thomas Ford got together and did Kidworks (a theater program) and had only 25 people show up," Daun-Bedford said. "They normally have a lot more people. We're having Kidworks on April 9, and we've had one person sign up."

The libraries will reevaluate after the program to see if they want to continue with the children's portion.

Check out the Big Read and the first year of Kids Read, Too! by visiting one of the participating libraries to borrow a copy of Zeitoun or A Place Where Hurricanes Happen.

For those who prefer to own a copy of the book, purchase it at Anderson’s Bookshops in or for a 10 percent discount. Anderson’s Book Club members and shoppers at Barbara’s Bookstore in Burr Ridge get a 20 percent discount, while customers at in Darien receive a 25 percent discount.

Get details in the program guide, which can be found online at thebigread.org. Get updates at twitter.com/bigread2011 or at facebook.com/thebigread.

You can register for programs at the Woodridge Public Library online, at the library or by calling 630-964-7899 .