Hear 'Abe Lincoln' Speak at Great Read Kickoff

Editor's note: The following is a press release issued by Plainfield School District:

President Abraham Lincoln will hold a “press conference” and address the state of the nation during his presidency, with Mrs. Lincoln at his side as part of the 2013 Great Read community literacy program’s Opening Event at 7 p.m. February 21, 2013.

This special program will be held at the Joliet Barnes & Noble store, 2621 Plainfield Road (across from the Louis Joliet Mall). Husband-and-wife acting team Max and Donna Daniels will portray the 16th American president and Mary Todd Lincoln.

A Nook e-Reader will be given away to one lucky attendee. The program is free and refreshments will be served. 

This year, the 2013 Great Read celebrates the 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, made in 1863. Plainfield-area community members are encouraged to read any books about the 16th president and take part in the Great Read’s numerous fun, historical and educational programs dedicated to Lincoln.

The Emancipation Proclamation is one of Lincoln’s greatest achievements. It led to the passage of the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1865, which abolished slavery.

Please visit The Great Read web site for a complete list of books, events and Great Read program information: http://www.psd202.org/greatread

NEW FORMAT

The Great Read was created to promote literacy, conversation, reading and community in the Plainfield area. The program typically focuses on a single book each year that connects to the community, a literary theme or an issue important at the time.

However, President Lincoln had such an immense impact on the country and the world that it would have been difficult to feature only one book, said Plainfield Public Library Outreach Director Ceil Carey. 

The Plainfield Public Library co-founded the Great Read program, along with the Plainfield School District.

NEW GREAT READ PARTNERS

The Great Read began in September 2004 as Reading Across Plainfield. That year, a panel hosted by the Plainfield School District and Plainfield Public Library debated the theme of government censorship as illustrated in Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury’s science fiction classic.

In 2008, Reading Across Plainfield became The Great Read and new partners from Joliet and Bolingbrook joined the program to encourage broader community participation, better reflect the areas served and emphasize the program’s literary focus. 

This year, The Great Read added three more community partners: the Shorewood-Troy Public Library, Troy Community Consolidated School District and Joliet Junior College. 

The Great Read 2013 is proudly presented by Plainfield District 202; the Plainfield Public Library; the Joliet Public Library; the Fountaindale Public Library; the Shorewood-Troy Public Library; Joliet Junior College; Plainfield Township; Troy Community Consolidated School District and the Joliet-area Barnes and Noble stores.

The Great Read is also supported by generous grants from the Plainfield Foundation for Excellence (www.psd202.org/foundation); the Friends of the Plainfield Public Library; and additional funding from Enterprise Publications and participating member organizations.