Events and Activities : VINTON PUBLIC LIBRARY ANNOUNCES THE KICK-OFF OF VINTON’S BIG READ

Vinton will come together to read and celebrate "Bewilderment" by Richard Powers

 The Vinton Public Library will launch its Vinton's Big Read program exploring 'Bewilderment' by Richard Powers with a kick-off event on Thursday, September 4th, 2025, at  1 pm at the Vinton Public Library. The Vinton's Big Read is presented in partnership with Benton County Conservation, the Vinton Guild of Fine Arts and the Vinton Palace Theatre, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts, Arts Midwest, The Charles and Helen Yundt Charitable Foundation, and the Friends of the Vinton Public Library.

The kick-off event will feature program talking points provided by Kelly Henkle, Library Director at the Vinton Public Library, along with Faith Hunt from Benton County Conservation, Marcy Horst from the Vinton Palace Theatre, and Anita Gordon representing the Vinton Guild of Fine Arts. Free copies of 'Bewilderment' will be handed out at the event, Todd Frank will be providing live music and light refreshments will be provided.

"We are excited to be partnered with the Vinton Public Library to engage our community in this meaningful initiative," shares Faith Hunt, Naturalist with Benton County Conservation. "Through Vinton's Big Read, we hope to introduce new and diverse experiences to our residents, encourage thoughtful conversations about the themes explored in literature, and highlight the importance of environmental stewardship through shared stories. This partnership will bring our community together and foster a broader understanding of the role of conservation in our everyday lives."

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.

Vinton is one of 65 communities nationwide participating in the 2025-26 NEA Big Read. From September 2025 through May of 2026 our community will celebrate 'Bewilderment' by Richard Powers with a full calendar of events including four Eastern Iowa Carnegie Library bus tours, a community art contest, a creative writing workshop series, a spring ephemeral hike and art class, an educational astronomy presentation and more, all provided at no cost to program participants.

For more information on this event, please visit the library or go to www.vinton.lib.ia.us.

At the Vinton Public Library our mission is to provide a welcoming environment to grow and strengthen connections for everyone in our community. We are dedicated to exceptional customer service and engaging our community. We enrich lives through access to resources, programs and collections that encourage lifelong learning and the love of reading.