Literary awareness was ablaze Saturday night during DeKalb Public Library’s book burning.

The books ignited in Hopkins Park were actually pamphlets intended for recycling, but the concept achieved the desired results.

“I was stunned by the passion,” said Dee Coover, director of the library. “It was absolutely great.”

As participants added pamphlets to the flames, they wondered aloud about a world where their favorite books were banned, Coover said.

“The dictionary, ‘Hamlet,’ ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ ‘Goodnight Moon,’ ‘Charlotte’s Web;’ a wide range of books were suggested,” Coover said.
Coover also said the library has never been called on to remove a book from circulation.

“This is a university town. People are very supportive of their libraries,” Coover said.

Library personnel handed out 100 copies of “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury.

The book was the inspiration for the evening and the library’s choice for the countrywide ‘Big Read Program.’

Big Read, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts, aims to promote reading by helping communities organize events centered around a chosen book. Other titles offered by the program are “The Great Gatsby,” “The Maltese Falcon” and “The Grapes of Wrath.”

The DeKalb Public Library chose “Fahrenheit 451” because of its length, the high availability of Spanish-translated copies and the feature-length film it inspired.

The film can be screened for no charge at 7 p.m. Friday at the Egyptian Theater, 135 N. Second St., and with Spanish subtitles at 2 p.m. Sunday.

A public reception today, at 7 p.m., at the Barsema Visitors Center will host Sam Weller, Bradbury’s authorized biographer.

“He’ll be able to tell us exactly what Bradbury was thinking,” Coover said.

Another 100 free copies of “Fahrenheit 451” will be handed out at the reception.

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