COLUMBIA -- The Institute of Museum and Library Service, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, awarded Big Read grants to 269 arts, culture and science organizations, libraries and municipalities on June 23. Five selected South Carolina libraries and organizations will use the grants to host Big Read celebrations that bring communities together to read, discuss and celebrate one of 30 selections from U.S. and world literature.

The South Carolina grant recipients are Claflin University, Greenwood County Library, Spartanburg County Public Libraries, Union County Carnegie Library and the University of South Carolina Arts Institute in Columbia.

"The South Carolina Center for the Book and the State Library are pleased that South Carolina is so well represented in this round of Big Read grants," said David Goble, State Library director. "Libraries are essential to lifelong learning, education, the economy, and the health and well-being of all the state's citizens. It's wonderful that libraries are putting together these types of reading programs to bring citizens together to learn, explore and create community through reading and discussing books."

The selected libraries and organizations will receive Big Read grants ranging from $2,500 to $20,000 to promote and carry out a kick-off event to launch the program; activities devoted specifically to its Big Read book or poet such as panel discussions, lectures and public readings; and events using the selection as a point of departure like film screenings, theatrical readings, exhibits and book discussions in diverse locations aimed at a wide range of audiences.

Since the 2006 pilot program, IMLS, NEA and project administrator Arts Midwest have given more than 800 grants to support local Big Read projects. Support for The Big Read is provided by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation; transportation is provided by Ford.

For more information, visit neabigread.org.

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