Big Read

 Join us at the New Castle Branch Library for a Big Read event on Monday, February 4th at 6:00 p.m. Take a night off and a trip back in time for a showing of “The Grapes of Wrath” and bring-what-you-can soup. New Castle will provide crock pots, both vegetarian and meat variety soup broth, and eating utensils. We encourage all who come to bring something cooked or prepared beforehand (a can of beans, cut vegetables, cooked chicken, etc.) to add to the soup, which will be served throughout the film showing.

 The Silt Branch Library is hosting a book discussion on “The Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck on Tuesday, February 26 at 6 p.m. This classic novel describes the struggle of migrants in their search for work and justice during the Great Depression. This program is free and open to the public, so please come and share your thoughts on this great American novel.

 The Thunder River Theatre presents a free literary night on Friday, February 8th from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the theater in downtown Carbondale as part of Garfield County Libraries’ Big Read.

 Walter Gallacher, creator of Immigrant Stories, a series of interviews which appears in the Glenwood Post and on KDNK Community Radio has teamed with Garfield County Library for The Big Read: The Grapes of Wrath, by interviewing locals who lived through the Great Depression of the 1930's.

 Kids, ages 6 to12, are invited to come to the Gordon Cooper Branch Library at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, February 19th to celebrate The Big Read with a singing and playing interactive performance by Youth Services Librarian, Sue Schnitzer.

Woody Guthrie sets the dust bowl era to life with hundreds of famous songs. Come learn about the 1930's, and have fun singing some your favorites with Sue.

The Gordon Cooper Branch Library is hosting a bilingual book discussion on the award-winning book, “Esperanza Rising,” at the Carbondale Middle School on Tuesday, February 12th from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

“Esperanza Rising” is a story of a Latino family during hard times and is offered in both Spanish and English. “Esperanza Rising” is a Big Read companion title for younger readers and is available at your local library.

 The Gordon Cooper Library in Carbondale invites middle schoolers to be a part of the Big Read by reading and discussing “Out of the Dust” by Karen Hesse, a riveting tale about a Dust Bowl child. What better way to learn about the Great Depression than through the words of the hero, Billie Jo, as she describes the days when ʺdust piles up like snow across the prairie...ʺ Join the discussion at the Carbondale Middle School on Tuesday, February 19th at 12:30 p.m.

Come to the Parachute Branch Library on Saturday, February 9th from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. for a fun party featuring the movie “Kit Kittredge an American Girl” and various activities and crafts.

The Great Depression hits home for nine-year-old Kit. When her dad loses his business and he has to leave to find work, Kit's mom decides to take in boarders only to discover the lockbox containing all their money has been taken. Help Kit solve this mystery!

 Need some practical ideas on how to stretch those dollars? Come to the Parachute Branch Library on Thursday, February 7 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. for this Big Read event! Learn about everything from coupon clipping to making several meals out of one shopping experience as locals Jeanette Osmon and Barbara Barker share some clever ideas.

 Join us at the Parachute Branch Library on Monday, February 4th, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. to learn how to use the stuff you have sitting around to make a totally new creation that will amaze your family, your friends, and, yes, even yourself with your creativity! The Good the Bad and the Gross is designed for 4th-6th graders and is hands-on learning at its best. Every month, we challenge you to come ready for the good, the bad, and, yes, the really gross! This program is limited to the first 15 participants who sign up.