NEW CASTLE – New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer along with Diana Brown, Manager of Libraries, announced New Castle County Library’s National Endowment for the Arts Big Read program exploring the graphic memoir ‘The Best We Could Do’ by Thi Bui with a kickoff event on Saturday, September 2 at multiple libraries. The NEA Big Read in New Castle County is presented with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.
The kick-off event will feature a make-and-take craft for children, "Fishing for Family Memories." The craft is based on the picture book, A Different Pond, written by Bao Phi and illustrated by NEA author Thi Bui. The event compliments Bui’s exploration of identity, family, memory, and immigration. Libraries will have a limited number of copies of A Different Pond to give away. One book per family while supplies last.
“New Castle County is thrilled to participate in the NEA Big Read,” said County Executive Mattew Meyer. “The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui, is a powerful memoir that beautifully encapsulates the struggles and triumphs of a family. I look forward to the programs being offered in our Libraries as part of the NEA Big Read. I encourage everyone in our community to join us in this incredible journey as we read, learn, and grow together.”
An initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest, the NEA Big Read broadens our understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through the power of a shared reading experience.
New Castle County is one of 62 communities nationwide participating in the 2023-2024 NEA Big Read. From September 2023 to March 2024 our community will celebrate The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui with a full calendar of events including an evening with author Thi Bui, cultural performances, art classes, history programs, genealogical workshops, book discussions, and more. The range of events will appeal to different age groups and interests.
For more information on this event, please contact Catherine Wimberley. You also can view a full calendar of events for the NEA Big Read in New Castle County at www.newcastlede.gov/2614/NEA-Big-Read-New-Castle-County.
The mission of New Castle County Libraries is to enrich our community by providing library resources and services to meet the informational, educational, cultural, and recreational needs of the citizens of New Castle County Libraries. Libraries serve as community centers where people come together to discuss, learn, grow, and share. Learn more at newcastlede.gov/libraries.
Established by Congress in 1965, the National Endowment for the Arts is an independent federal agency that is the largest funder of the arts and arts education in communities nationwide and a catalyst of public and private support for the arts. By advancing equitable opportunities for arts participation and practice, the NEA fosters and sustains an environment in which the arts benefit everyone in the United States. Visit arts.gov to learn more.
Arts Midwest supports, informs, and celebrates Midwestern creativity. We build community and opportunity across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, the Native Nations that share this geography, and beyond. As one of six nonprofit United States Regional Arts Organizations, Arts Midwest works to strengthen local arts and culture efforts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, state agencies, private funders, and many others. Learn more at artsmidwest.org