The Academy of Lifelong Learning at LLCC is distributing 1,000 free copies of the book “Lab Girl” by Hope Jahren as part of the National Endowment for the Arts Big Read in Sangamon County. As part of this, the LLCC Library and Outreach Centers will be distributing books to students beginning today.
LLCC students can pick up a free copy of the book and a seed-planting kit at library table displays on campus. Tables will be located at the entrances of A. Lincoln Commons, Logan Hall, Millennium Center and Workforce Careers Center through April 30 or while supplies last. Books and seed kits will also be distributed at LLCC Outreach Centers in Jacksonville, Beardstown, Taylorville and Litchfield.
Beginning this weekend, the Academy of Lifelong Learning (ALL) at Lincoln Land Community College will distribute 1,000 free copies of the book “Lab Girl” by Hope Jahren as part of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read in Sangamon County.
Drive-through book distributions are scheduled:
Saturday, Feb. 27, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 2941 S. Koke Mill Road
Monday, March 1, 4-6 p.m. at Union Baptist Church, 1405 E. Monroe St.
The LLCC Library and LLCC Outreach Centers will be distributing books to students beginning March 1 and continuing through April 30. The LLCC Library will have table displays with free books and seed planting kits at four building entrances: A. Lincoln Commons, Logan Hall, Millennium Center and Workforce Careers Center. The items will also be distributed at LLCC Outreach Centers in Jacksonville, Beardstown, Taylorville and Litchfield.
Also on March 1, Lincoln Library, 326 S. 7th St., will begin in-person and curbside distribution of the book by appointment (lincolnlibrary.info) during regular business hours.
Over 15 local libraries in Sangamon County have copies of “Lab Girl” to give away and for checkout. A copy of “Lab Girl” will also be available in 38 neighborhood Little Libraries.
Those receiving a copy of the book are encouraged to pass it along to a friend after reading or place it in a Little Library for someone to pick up and read.
ALL is one of 84 nonprofit organizations selected to receive an NEA Big Read grant to support a community reading program. Fifty local organizations have partnered with ALL to develop and offer free, fun and educational community-wide book discussions, speakers, interactive programs and arts presentations inspired by the book’s themes during March and April 2021.
Laurel Bretz, director, LLCC Community Education was a guest on Sports Radio 1450’s AM Springfield program Feb. 22, discussing the Big Read sponsored by the LLCC Academy of Lifelong Learning. Book distribution begins this weekend.
The Academy of Lifelong Learning (ALL) at LLCC will host the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read in Sangamon County during March and April 2021.
ALL is one of 84 nonprofit organizations selected to receive an NEA Big Read grant to support a community reading program.
The NEA Big Read: Sangamon County will focus on “Lab Girl” by Hope Jahren. Fifty local organizations have partnered with ALL to develop and offer free, fun and educational community-wide book discussions, speakers, interactive programs and arts presentations inspired by the book’s themes.
Over 1,000 copies of “Lab Girl” will be given out free of charge via drive-through events, in addition to copies available for checkout at 15 local libraries. Citizens are invited to read the same book and hold discussions about the issues and themes presented.
“We are honored to offer the National Endowment for the Arts Big Read program in Sangamon County this year,” said Katharine Dehen, president of the LLCC Academy of Lifelong Learning. “’Lab Girl‘ is a memoir by American geochemist, geobiologist and professor Hope Jahren and explores how she found sanctuary in science and triumphs and discoveries in scientific research. The NEA Big Read has been brought to our community through the efforts of many volunteers who have been working through the past year to make this possible as we inspire conversation and discovery in our communities.”
The NEA Big Read Sangamon County includes three virtual keynote speakers. Kathryn Harris, 2020 State Journal-Register First Citizen Award winner and retired librarian, will deliver a kickoff address on March 2 titled “Reading Science, Reading Together.” Emily Graslie, host of “Prehistoric Road Trip” on PBS and creator of YouTube’s “The Brain Scoop” will discuss “The Power of Curiosity”on March 25. “Lab Girl” author Hope Jahren will deliver a keynote address on April 17 live from Oslo, Norway.
Hope Jahren is an award-winning scientist who has been pursuing independent research in paleobiology since 1996, when she completed her Ph.D. at University of California Berkeley and began teaching and researching first at the Georgia Institute of Technology and then at Johns Hopkins University. She is the recipient of three Fulbright Awards and is one of four scientists, and the only woman, to have been awarded both of the Young Investigator Medals given within the Earth Sciences. She was a tenured professor at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu from 2008 to 2016 where she built the Isotope Geobiology Laboratories, with support from National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy and the National Institutes of Health. She currently holds the J. Tuzo Wilson professorship at the University of Oslo, Norway.
“During this time of social isolation throughout our country, we have become more aware of the important ways the arts help us connect with others, and how they bring meaning, joy and comfort to our lives,” said Mary Ann Carter, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. “By bringing the NEA Big Read to the Sangamon County area, the Academy of Lifelong Learning at Lincoln Land Community College will provide thoughtful and fun programming while also strengthening community bonds.”
ALL at LLCC offers opportunities for anyone 50 and over to stay mentally and physically active. Classes and activities are planned and led by members who enjoy meeting interesting friends, sharing ideas, exploring topics of interest, learning from one another and having fun.
Since 2006, the National Endowment for the Arts has funded more than 1,600 NEA Big Read programs, providing more than $22 million to organizations nationwide. Over the past 13 years, grantees have leveraged more than $50 million in local funding to support their NEA Big Read programs. More than 5.7 million Americans have attended an NEA Big Read event, approximately 91,000 volunteers have participated at the local level, and 39,000 community organizations have partnered to make NEA Big Read activities possible. For more information about the NEA Big Read, including book and author information, podcasts and videos, visit arts.gov/neabigread.
Bistro Verde, LLCC’s student-led restaurant, will not be open this spring due to COVID-19 restrictions, with plans to reopen in the fall. LLCC’s hospitality and culinary arts program will be utilizing the Illini Country Club, Lake Pointe Grill, D’Arcy’s Pint and Obed and Isaac’s as externship sites for LLCC hospitality students. Other businesses who would like to partner in this effort may contact Sheridan Lane, director of LLCC culinary programs and operations, at sheridan.lane@llcc.edu or 217-786-2494.
The LLCC Culinary Institute has three Bistro Verde curbside pickup dinners planned in partnership with local restaurants. Pickup will take place onsite at the restaurants. Cost is $55 per serving. Mardi Gras Dinner on the Run will take placeTuesday, Feb. 16 at Brunchfield Café, 751 S. Durkin Dr. Maldaner’s Dinner will be Thursday, March 4 at 222 S. 6th St. Luminary Kitchen and Provision Dinner will be Tuesday, April 6 at 3121 Hedley Dr. Menus and registration are available at www.llcc.edu/ci-bistro-verde-dinners or by calling 217-786-2432.
Laurel Bretz, director of community education, along with two members of LLCC’s Academy of Lifelong Learning (ALL), were interviewed by the Illinois Times for an upcoming cover story on The Big Read, a program sponsored by ALL in which Sangamon County residents will be invited to read the book, “Lab Girl,” and attend various discussion groups and events. Free copies of the book will be distributed, and more details will be announced soon.
LLCC’s Academy of Lifelong Learning (ALL) is now offering half-year memberships, good from now until June 30, for only $35. It is a great opportunity to join and see what ALL is all about and also makes a great holiday gift!
The Academy of Lifelong Learning at LLCC is distributing 1,000 free copies of the book “Lab Girl” by Hope Jahren as part of the National Endowment for the Arts Big Read in Sangamon County. As part of this, the LLCC Library and Outreach Centers will be distributing books to students beginning today.