the september project

Back in 2005, the Terrebonne Parish Library System, located 60 miles southwest of New Orleans, participated in the September Project. That was before Katrina, before Rita, and before a substantial part of the parish and one of the Terrebonne libraries was destroyed.

Now in 2007, we’re encouraged by the news (and delighted to announce!) that the Terrebonne Parish Library System will once again participate in the project–and they’re participating in a dramatic and spectacular way! So far, the library is offering public lectures, artistic displays, voter registration, book discussions, and a music concert. Here’s more information about their exciting events, scheduled throughout September AND October!

This year, the Terrebonne Parish Library System will provide its patronage with informative lectures, voter registration days, and creative outlets, celebrating patriotism and civic duty. Scheduled for this September are lectures from the New Orleans Archdiocese Catholic Charities Immigration Accreditation Representative, voter registration booths in the library throughout the month, and a patriotic themed art exhibit sponsored by the Houma Regional Arts Council. The month of September also ushers in the RELIC program (Readings in Literature and Culture) at the library. This year’s theme is “Being American” and focuses on immigration in American history. The Friends of the Terrebonne Public Library’s annual book sale is held in September and this year will feature a collection of American and patriotism-oriented literature.

The Houma Regional Arts Council will launch the Big Read program in celebration of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. The Big Read in Terrebonne Parish is presented in partnership with the Terrebonne Parish Library System. The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The NEA presents the Big Read in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services in cooperation with ArtsMidwest. The Big Read brings together partners across the country to encourage reading for pleasure and enlightenment. Terrebonne Parish will celebrate To Kill a Mockingbird from September 1^st through December with movie screenings and book discussions; visit www.neabigread.org for more information about activities and a full calendar of events.

To Kill a Mockingbird has two broad themes: tolerance and justice. Within these two broad themes there are sub-themes of religious & racial tolerance, prejudices, personal integrity, and defiance of social norms, among others.
We invite artists to focus their artwork on the themes of To Kill a Mockingbird in relation to the September Project’s theme of “Being American”.