Reading and library funding is on the rise in DeKalb.

The DeKalb Public Library recently announced they received a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts to encourage local reading with The Big Read program.

In partnership with the National Endowment of the Arts, Altrusa International of DeKalb-Sycamore, District 428, Kishwaukee College Family Literacy program and the DeKalb County Community Foundation awarded a $12,000 grant to the library.

The Big Read is a nationwide movement with goals to promote reading in communities. The program started three years ago with a handful communities around the country. This year, involvement has increased to about 117 districts nationwide.

Out of this year’s 12 preselected books, Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451” was chosen by the library for the focus of many group discussions, activities and events throughout October. All events are free to the general public, and free copies of “Fahrenheit 451” will be handed out at each event.

At 7 p.m. Monday, Sam Weller, an Illinois native and author of “The Bradbury Chronicles,” will speak at a public reception at the Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center. One hundred copies of “Fahrenheit 451” will be distributed.

This event will serve as a kickoff for The Big Read and is funded by Capital Bank and cosponsored by NIU.

Reading is steadily declining in American society, according to a recent report researched by the National Endowment of the Arts.

“To counteract this lack of reading, the National Endowment of the Arts created The Big Read program,” said Dee Coover, DeKalb Public Library director. “It all comes down to which comes first: reading or being involved in the community.”

Coover said 43 percent of people who read also tend to be more active in volunteering, exercising and just being more engaged in the world.

“The cure that a more well-read society contains is the armament against shallow conversations and decisions,” said Dawn Procopio, sophomore political science major. “Reading on a regular basis lends to its constituents critical thinking skills with the capacity to follow arguments. Without such armament, the educational system would become dire with frustrated teachers who have unteachable students.”

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