The Big Read is coming

Orange County Public Library is partnering with Camp Pendleton and Casa Romantica to participate in the Big Read, a grant funded program offered through the National Endowment for the Arts and the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest. This is a one comunity -- in this case Orange County -- one book. Starting March 5, join in by reading Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird.

What does that mean here in Aliso Viejo? In addition to the many events you can find on the Big Read site (just filter by community: Orange County Public Library), you can participate here at the Aliso Viejo library in two ways:

First, we are having two screenings of the film version of the book on March 20, one at 10:30 am and the second at 6 pm. The screenings are free and refreshments will be provided.

Secondly, the library is proud to annouce our Read-It-Forward program. The Friends of the Aliso Viejo Library have generously provided copies of To Kill a Mockingbird. You can pick up the book for free, read it, and then just pass it on! We will be tracking the book through Book Crossing so we can follow the book's progress. You can pick up copies at the library, the Neighborhood Cup, and the Barnes and Noble Cafe. Where they end up is up to you!

Teen Poetry and Art Contest

The Orange County Public Library kicks off its 7th Annual Teen Poetry and Art Contest, and invites local teens, age 12 to 18, to submit an original poem or drawing. The top three winning poems at each branch library will be included in Voices in Verse, an anthology published by Orange County Public Library. Winning artwork will become the front and back cover designs for the book.

Entry forms will be available through March 15 at all Orange County Public Library branches. The deadline for entries is March 15, 2008. Poems must be typed, no longer than 30 lines, and attached to an entry form. Artwork must be an original black and white design and can be either hand drawn or computer generated. Artwork must be no larger than 8.5 x 11" in portrait orientation only. A complete set of contest rules is available at all branches of Orange County Public Library, as well as on the library's website at http://www.ocpl.org/. Teens may also enter the contest at www.ocpl.org/poetry/.

Community members, educators, and/or local writers will judge entries. Winners will be announced during National Library Week, April 13-19, 2008. Voices in Verse will be distributed to winning poets, artists, and libraries. For more details, please call the Aliso Viejo Library at (949) 360-1730.

Best of luck!