Nation at Risk for Reading

Posted by Suzanne Hill Jul 7, 2008

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) commissioned a study to note just how popular reading reigns among the populace. Their report “Reading at Risk” shows that indeed the incidence of reading is declining for all age groups. Dana Gioia, chairman of NEA, states that this report is one he is not happy to produce; it demonstrated to him that something needed to be done to preserve and promote the pleasurable activity of reading.

According to Gioia, The Big Read gives communities the opportunity to come together to read, discuss, and celebrate readings [over 23 varied selections] from American and world literature. I applaud this effort. Locally, the community that will take part in The Big Read for next year is Hagerstown, MD. They report that their featured programs will highlight F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby.

The website for The Big Read is www.neabigread.org and offers more information.