ALL free book distribution begins this weekend

"Lab Girl" by Hope Jahren. March 1-April 30, 2021. One book, 75 events. National Endowment for the Arts Big Read. Managed by Arts Midwest. arts.gov/neabigread. NEA Big Read: Sangamon County presented by Academy of Lifelong Learning at Lincoln Land Community College, Lincoln Library Springfield's Public Library, LLCC Lincoln Land Community College. The NEA presents NEA Big Read in partnership with Arts Midwest.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.

Visit https://www.llcc.edu/nea-big-read-sangamon-county for a full calendar of events, book distribution points and a list of partner organizations.