Big Read Events

The Big Read in Oberlin concluded with a final book discussion at the Oberlin Public Library on April 20, 2011.  It was a great year! Thank you to all sponsors, partners and participants.

PAST EVENTS

Big Read Kickoff Event
Saturday, October 2, 2010 4:00 pm
rain location:  Meeting House, The First Church (corners of Main and Lorain Streets)
Speaker:  Molly Raphael, OC '67 and President-Elect of the American Library Association
Reading from the Book:  Oberlin College President Marvin Krislov, City Manager Eric Norenberg, and Oberlin City Schools Superintendent Geoffrey Andrews.
Presentation by Susan Heisser, Assistant Fire Chief.
Make a facsimile of a favorite book to burn in the fire, to dramatize the effects of book burning, suppression of information and the silencing of intellectual discourse in any society.  Help create a list of Oberlin's favorite books, and sign up for a book discussion group

Book Discussion of Fahrenheit 451
Tuesday, October 5, 3:30 pm
Eclectic Book Group Oberlin Public Library
All are welcome to join this discussion about Fahrenheit 451 at OPL. For more information contact OPL Librarian Marleen Watling: watlinma@oplin.org

What's the Big Read and Why F451?
Wednesday, Oct 13, 2010, noon-1:30 pm
The Oberlin Inn, 7 North Main Street
Alison Ricker, Science Librarian at Oberlin College and co-convener of the Big Read planning group, will speak at the regular weekly luncheon of Spectrum, held at The Oberlin Inn: "Oberlin's BIG READ of Fahrenheit 451: a burning parable from 1953 with chilling relevance today"

Book Discussion of Fahrenheit 451 Thursday October 28, 2010, 6-7 pm
Oberlin Public Library
Sponsored by Oberlin Parks and Recreation Dept
All are welcome to come and discuss Fahrenheit 451 and how the story can shed light on contemporary culture. For more information contact Ian Yarber at (440) 775-7254.

Luncheon and Book Discussion at Kendal
Friday, October 29, 2010
Kendal Community Center 11:30 am-1:30 pmThe community is invited to enjoy lunch in the Fox and Fell Dining Room (reservations and payment required, menu to be determined), followed by table and group discussion of the book. Contact Eva Greenberg for further information: evag79@gmail.com

Book Discussion  (National Organization of Women)

Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Oberlin Public Library, 7 pm.
Sponsor:  NOW Oberlin Chapter
A consideration of the portrayal of women and girls in Fahrenheit 451.Contact Alison Ricker: aricker@oberlin.edu for more information
Open to the public.
Biographer Talk: Sam Weller.  Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Book signing and talks by Sam Weller, official biographer of Ray Bradbury.  Two locations, open to the public:
Oberlin College Campus, Wilder room 101 at noon
Brown bag lunch.  Cookies and cider provided.  Book signing in Wilder lobby follows the talk.
Oberlin Public Library, Community Room, 6:30 pm
Book signing from 6:30-7 pm, talk begins at 7 pm.

Mr. Weller will also visit with students at Oberlin High School that afternoon 
books by Sam Weller

Banned Books Exhibit
Now through Oct 31
Oberlin College LibraryCome check out some banned books from the library's collections. Literally!  Please come, and take a banned book home with you!


Film Showing: "Pleasantville"
Wednesday, Jan 5, 2011
Oberlin Public Library, 7 pm
Free film series: Censorship, Media Control and Falsehood at the movies.
See great, thought-provoking films on the themes explored in Fahrenheit 451.  Free popcorn.

Film Showing: "Good Night and Good Luck"

Wednesday, Jan 12, 2011
Oberlin Public Library, 7 pm
Free film series: Censorship, Media Control and Falsehood at the movies.
See great, thought-provoking films on the themes explored in Fahrenheit 451.  Free popcorn.

Film Showing: "The Truman Show"

Wednesday, Jan 19, 2011
Oberlin Public Library, 7 pm
Free film series: Censorship, Media Control and Falsehood at the movies.
See great, thought-provoking films on the themes explored in Fahrenheit 451.  Free popcorn.

Film Showing: "Wag the Dog"

Wednesday, Jan 26, 2011
Oberlin Public Library, 7 pm
Free film series: Censorship, Media Control and Falsehood at the movies.
See great, thought-provoking films on the themes explored in Fahrenheit 451.  Free popcorn.

Invited Speaker: Chris Crutcher
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Tentative location: Oberlin Public Library 7 pm
Details: Chris Crutcher will also visit OHS and Langston middle school while in Oberlin.
  books by Chris Crutcher 

Sunshine Week Celebration
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Oberlin Public Library 7 pm
Join the League of Women Voters Oberlin Area and staff of The Oberlin News-Tribune for a discussion of media, freedom of information, and civic engagement as we commemorate Sunshine Week with Ray Bradbury's work as our focus. Community Room, Oberlin Public Library.

The Public's Right to Know
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Fellowship Hall, The First Church in Oberlin, 7 pm
Corner of Lorain and Main Streets
Sponsored by the American Civil Liberties Union
Speaker: Frank Kunstel, activist and director of the speakers bureau for the ACLU of Ohio. He will speak about government suppression of information and the public's right to know, focusing on the government's use of the category "classified" information, the "states secrets privilege" invoked by the Bush and Obama administrations, and the revelation of information via sources such as wikileaks.