Check the book display at your favorite branch for copies of the books on the list. Vote for your favorites at www.pbs.org/the-great-american-read/vote  Watch PBS for the national discussion and join in the local discussion right here at Peoria Public Library!

Programming for The Great American Read is offered as part of a grant from the American Library Association and PBS.

Wednesday, August 1 - Peoria Public Library North Branch - 6:30 p.m.-7:45 p.m.

“Who Am I?” Melinda J. McBee Orzulak, Bradley University leads a discussion on “How do our favorite books about self-discovery help us navigate our life’s journey?”

Thursday, August 23 - Peoria Public Library North Branch - 6:00 p.m.-7:45 p.m.

“Monsters vs. Villains” with Colleen Karn, Methodist College. In literature, not all monsters are the bad guys.

Friday, September 21 - Peoria Public Library North Branch - 1:00 p.m.-2:15 p.m.

"What We Do For Love" with Jane Hense, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.  The topic of discussion will be the Great American Read Nominee Gilead by Marilynne Robinson and its companion, Home. Both stories tell of enduring love for family, the great tenderness of old friendships, and the need for forgiveness.

Saturday, September 22 - Peoria Public Library North Branch - 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

The Great American Read Trivia - Test your knowledge of the books on the Great American Read list. Sign up your team of 4 to 6 people to participate in this trivia afternoon. Drinks and light snacks will be provided. Contact the Programming Department at programmingdept@ppl.peoria.lib.il.us or 309-497-2150 to register your team. High school and up.

Wednesday, October 17 - Peoria Public Library North Branch - 6:30 p.m.-7:45 p.m.

"Heroes" with Paul Resnick, Illinois Central College.  What can we learn from reading about heroes?

Thursday, October 25 - Peoria Public Library North Branch - 6:00 p.m.-7:15 p.m.

"Other Worlds" with Joe Chianakis, Illinois Central College.  Where does reading take us?

Peoria Public Library will receive a grant from the American Library Association (ALA) and PBS to host programs around The Great American Read, an eight-part television series and multi-platform initiative that celebrates the joy of reading and the books we love.

More than 220 public libraries applied for the $2,000 grants, which will support public programs around the series. Peoria Public Library was one of just 50 libraries nationwide to be selected.

A library kick-off for “The Great American Read” will be hosted by Terry Bibo Knight, long-time journalist for the Peoria Journal Star, at 6:30 p.m. on May 22 at Peoria Public Library North Branch in the McKenzie Room. After a short discussion, the PBS program will be shown from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The names of the top 100 books will be announced and voting will begin. Refreshments will be served. For more information about this and other events, visit www.peoriapubliclibrary.org/calendar.

In addition to the grant money, Peoria Public Library will receive a DVD collection of the series with public performance rights; a hardcover copy of the companion book, The Great American Read: The Book of Books by PBS (Black Dog & Leventhal, August 21, 2018); and other resources.

The libraries will also have the opportunity to host “sneak peek” screenings of the series premiere and five themed episodes before they broadcast to the public.

Premiering May 22, The Great American Read will engage audiences with a list of 100 diverse books, encouraging audiences to read the books, vote from the list of 100, and share their personal connections to the titles.

The two-hour launch episode will kick off a summer of reading and voting. In fall 2018, seven new episodes will air, featuring appearances by celebrities, athletes, experts, authors and everyday Americans advocating for their favorite book, culminating with a finale that reveals America’s best-loved novel as chosen by the American public.

Steve Tarter of the Peoria Journal Star interviewed Deputy Director Roberta Koscielski about The Great American Read on May 17.