The Big Read and other blogs

While checking out the new Library of Congress blog, I noticed The Big Read blog listed in their blogroll. The Big Read is a National Endownment for the Arts program. You've probably heard about it or about the One Book, One City program from the Library of Congress's Center for the Book. A community organization applies for a grant to host lectures, book discussions, and programs based around one book. The organization also receives readers' guides, publicity announcements,commercials on local media, among other things.

David Kipen is the NEA's Director of Literature and the man behind the Big Read blog. You can read about his visits to Big Read communities on the Big Read blog, which I highly recommend, particularly the Oklahoma community's response to The Grapes of Wrath.

The Smithsonian also has a blog about all the great things that you can see and do at their museums.