Freeholder Mary Ann O’Brien is excited to announce that The Burlington County Library System has been awarded grant funding to host the NEA Big Read, a special, seven-week series of performances, book discussions, film screenings and more focusing on Dashiell Hammett’s thrilling and classic detective tale “The Maltese Falcon.”
“Kicking off Saturday, Oct. 1 and running through Sunday, Nov. 13, this fun and thought-provoking series will feature partner participation from a host of organizations, and special events and activities for all ages at all library branches,” said O’Brien, library liaison. “Mark your calendar for our interactive film noir style mystery theater program featuring the New Jersey Renaissance Faire on Oct. 1, library visits by the author’s granddaughter Julie Rivett on Oct. 22, a stage production of ‘The Maltese Falcon Radio Show’ by Bridge Players Theatre Company on Nov. 12 and Nov. 13, and much more.”
A program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest, the NEA Big Read is designed to help broaden our understanding of our world, our communities and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book. The
Big Read supports organizations across the country in developing community-wide programs, which encourage reading and participation by diverse audiences.
“We are proud to have our own Burlington County Library System be one of only 77 nonprofit organizations nationwide to receive grant funding to host this full calendar of events for county residents this fall,” O’Brien said.
Published in 1930, “The Maltese Falcon” is an iconic literary work that defined the sub-genre of detective fiction. Set in foggy San Francisco, featuring private detective Sam Spade, the beautiful and treacherous Brigid O’Shaughnessy, aka Miss Wonderly, and a treasure worth killing for, Hammett’s novel has captivated three generations of readers.
Dashiell Hammett’s influence and writings inspired new movements in both fiction and film. “The Maltese Falcon,” adapted and directed by John Huston in 1941 and starring Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor and Peter Lorre, was nominated for three Academy Awards.
“Dashiell Hammett is considered to be one of the finest mystery writers of all time and we are thrilled to be able to present such an exciting array of programming focusing on this classic tale at all eight of our library branches,” added BCLS Director Ranjna Das.
Registration is required for all programs in The NEA Big Read series. To register, go to www.bcls.lib.nj.us/bigread Please remember to register for each library event separately, then join in for these exciting “Maltese Falcon” programs this fall.
At the Pinelands Library is Skulls and Bones Detective Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. Learn about animals from the inside out and how to identify skulls and bones just by examining their size, shape and structure. Hosted by the Rancocas Nature Center, this program features hands-on activities and uses samples of vertebrate animal bones and skulls from the nature center’s own collection.
On Oct. 15 at noon at the Pineland’s library, share your thoughts during these lively group discussions about Dashiell Hammett’s classic thriller “The Maltese Falcon.”
For more information about the NEA Big Read at BCLS, please call (609) 267–9660 or visit www.bcls.lib.nj.us/bigread, or follow at #BCLSreads, #NEABIgRead and #TheMalteseFalcon.
The mission of the Burlington County Library System is to enrich lives by providing opportunities for learning, growthandpersonal development. BCLSincludes the County Library in Westampton, and branches in Bordentown, Cinnaminson, Evesham, Medford (Pinelands), Maple Shade, Pemberton, and Riverton.
