Final Thoughts - To Kill a Mockingbird Video

We hope you've enjoyed reading with us. If you have any final thoughts on To Kill a Mockingbird, please feel free to post them here. Share a favorite passage from the novel, a memory from one of our programs, or your own personal reflections. We'd also love to know what you thought of the blog and if you would like more convo with your librarians.

We also encourage you to take The Big Read survey. Let the National Endowment for the Arts know what you thought of our San Antonio read! http://www.neabigread.org/survey.php

As we wish you farewell, check out this short video with images from our favorite memories with you. The song clip is by Daphne Willis & Co and is called "Live for Now." See you in March 2009 for another great novel!

Chatting with Scout

Last night's audience enthusiastically welcomed Mary Badham (the actress who played Scout) to San Antonio during her appearance at Central. Despite difficulties with her arrival (she ended up changing carriers), once she arrived attendees found her warm and outgoing and a very comfortable speaker.

Ms. Badham will be appearing today, Tuesday, at Semmes Branch Library at 4:00 p.m. and at the Pan American Branch Library on Wednesday, April 16 at 6:30 p.m.

Please join us!

A Novel Through the Lens

Do you like art? Advanced photography students from Providence High School have created a beautiful and memorable collection of images based on To Kill a Mockingbird. Using fully manual cameras and black and white film, students reflected on injustice, controversy and childhood memories both in the classroom and out in the field. They developed the photos themselves in the school's darkroom using historic methods like sepia and silver gelatin prints.


We'd like to thank Veronika G., Danielle M., Danielle E., Amanda D. and Carianna A. for reflecting on the novel through these intriguing images. We appreciate all our San Antonio teens who are reading and reflecting on the novel in their own way.


Please join us in the Central Library gallery in celebrating this lovely exhibit. It's free to the public during April and the gallery is open during regular library hours.


Here's a couple of my favorites. Come on down to Central to see the full exhibit:


If you could take only one photo to represent the themes of To Kill a Mockingbird, what would you create? And where would you go in San Antonio to capture the best images?

Risking your children

Atticus risked his reputation, his friendships and his career by taking Tom Robinson's case. He also put his children in harm's way.

Was the risk to his children justified? Should Atticus have done something differently? At what point do you turn aside from doing the right thing to protect your family?

Pie-Brary Winners

The Pie-Brary winners and their recipes are now up on our website. Please stop on by for a slice of sweetness. Many thanks to those who submitted pies to our kickoff baking event, and to all the talented chefs that helped judge your creations.

Everyone knows that reading goes better with dessert! So grab yourself a slice over the holiday weekend. What's your favorite dessert to read by?

http://www.sanantonio.gov/library/events/TheBigRead/pie_winners.asp

Book Discussion - Scout

We'd love to hear about your views on Harper Lee's novel, so share your thoughts in our book clubs or here on the blog. Characters are a big draw for many readers, so we're going to look at the book through Scout's eyes first.

How effective do you think Scout is as a main character in To Kill a Mockingbird? How would the story change if she was older, say a teen or adult? Do you think the story is more or less effective because of her young age? Can a young person influence their community as much as an adult?


In related news, we have a very special guest: Mary Badham, the actor who played Scout in the movie. Ms. Badham discusses her role in the film starting on April 14th at several branches. Please check out our event calendar for more details.

Race and Justice in To Kill a Mockingbird

The question of equal access to justice and its dependence on race is a central theme in To Kill a Mockingbird.

Journalists, editorialists and political commentators often call for a "national dialogue on race." What would such a dialogue look like/sound like? What questions would it be essential to include?

Privacy or Fame: an author's choice?

We hope you had a chance to enjoy one of biographer Charles J. Shield's library appearances and learn a little about Harper Lee. "To Kill a Mockingbird" has been translated into more than 18 languages and sold more than 30 million copies. But Harper Lee has led a very private life since the book's success. If you were the author of an influential book would you seek fame or privacy? Is it possible in our world for authors to maintain a private life?

Live Theatrical Performances

Enjoy live performances?



San Antonio’s Magik Theatre will be performing a dramatic interpretation of Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird at six different branches during March and April.


The first performance is at the Central Library on Monday, March 3rd at 6:00 pm.


The second performance will be at Great Northwest on Monday, March 10th at 4:00 pm.

All performances are free and open to the public. (Dates and times of all of the performances are listed on the Big Read Calendar of events on the San Anotonio Public Library's website.)

Join us for the Kickoff!

Central Library will host an old-fashioned “Southern Social” Big Read Kickoff on Sunday, March 2, from 11-4 p.m.

Here's what's in store: a lawn celebration including gospel singing, a marching band, and even a pie-baking competition! Bestselling author of "Mockingbird: a Portrait of Harper Lee," Charles J. Shields will be the featured guest speaker. He will explore the reclusive life of the author of "To Kill a Mockingbird." Following the presentation, Shields will answer questions and sign copies of his book. Parking is free that day at Central and our terraces will be open for your comfort.

We hope to see you here. Please see the To Kill a Mockingbird events link on the right for more southern hospitality and great programs.