Galesburg Public Library welcomed visitors
to the second floor of its building for an
“Anti-Book Burning Kickoff Party.”
The kickoff was part of the 6th installment
of the “The Big Read” event in Galesburg,
encouraging participants to read Ray Bradbury’s
Fahrenheit 451.
Galesburg Mayor Sal Garza opened the event
with a small speech stating the importance
of reading in today’s youth and why reading
is important.
“Well, I think that The Big Read offers
a significant option in terms of what’s
going on today with the gaming and basically
with just this bombardment of so many options
that you can see over the TV or other electronic
devices.”
Those in attendance were allowed to take a
free copy of Fahrenheit 451, as well as a
free bookmark.
During the event, actor Jeff Cervantez performed
a one-man show that was influenced by the
book.
Jeff says that the Galesburg Public Library
has done its fair share in getting kids to
read.
“The times I visited here, I see a multitude
of kids sit down, grabbing their favorite
books and just having a time, you know.
And I think that’s great.”
Fahrenheit 451 was published in 1953 and takes
place in a futuristic United States where
reading or possession of books is banished.
In the book, firemen don’t douse fires,
but set fires to books or homes of people
who are keeping them.
The event was put together and hosted by reference
librarian Karly Steele.
She says the library has tried to bring back
the importance of reading to Galesburg.
“We are really trying to bring reading back
to the center of our community.
And Fahrenheit 451 kind of focuses around
censorship and the idea of book burning and
the value of books and literacy, so we really
thought that it would be a good fit.”
The event concluded with hot dogs and s’mores
being served in the library’s storybook
garden.
Members of the Galesburg Fire Department Rescue
Squad were in the garden and demonstrated
to guests how a firefighter puts on their
uniform.
The Big Read is funded by the National Endowment
for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.
For NEWS3, I’m Chris Lovingood.
