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NEA Big ReadNEA Big Read<div class="ExternalClass0683D9090D90442087C396236CB42944"><h3>​<span id="ms-rterangecursor-start"></span><span id="ms-rterangecursor-end"></span>The NEA Big Read brings communities together through the shared experience of reading, connecting, and creating around a single book and author. <br></h3><h3 style="text-align:left;">This year's selection, <em><a href="https://discover.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/search?query=%22the%20essential%20emily%20dickinson%22&searchType=everything&pageSize=10" target="_blank" title="Find this in the library catalog!">The Essential Emily Dickinson​</a></em>, invites readers of all ages and backgrounds to explore Dickinson's innovative poetry, rich inner life, and lasting influence on not only American literature, but American culture.​​​​<span id="ms-rterangepaste-end"></span><br></h3><h3 style="text-align:left;">​Join in and read this year's selection with us! <a href="https://www.arts.gov/initiatives/nea-big-read" target="_blank">Learn more about the National Endowment for the Arts Big Read.​</a><br></h3><h3 style="text-align:left;">Browse <a href="https://calendar.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/calendar/burtonbarr?t=g&q=nea%20big%20read&cid=-1&cal=-1&inc=0" target="_blank">Big Read programs</a><a href="https://calendar.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/calendar/burtonbarr?t=g&q=nea%20big%20read&cid=-1&cal=-1&inc=0" target="_blank"> in our online calendar​</a> or below.<br><span id="ms-rterangepaste-start"></span><a href="https://discover.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/search?query=%22the%20essential%20emily%20dickinson%22&searchType=everything&pageSize=10" title="Find this book in the library catalog!" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:underline;"><img src="/images/Programs/Programs_NEA_Big-Read_Book_web.jpg" alt="Book cover art for The Essential Emily Dickinson: Poems" style="margin:5px;width:127px;" class="" /></a>​<span id="ms-rterangepaste-end"></span><br></h3></div>

 

 

 

 

Celebrate and recognize the writing of Emily Dickinson this fall and spring with the NEA Big Read.Celebrate and recognize the writing of Emily Dickinson this fall and spring with the NEA Big Read.https://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/images/Programs/Programs_NEA_Big-Read_web.jpg1586

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Victory comes late: Emily Dickinson's Quiet PatriotismVictory comes late: Emily Dickinson's Quiet Patriotismhttps://calendar.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/event/1759459212/6/2026 9:00:00 PM12/6/2026 10:30:00 PM<div class="ExternalClassC573758879DF4BBEBEB44E469E4797CB"><a href="/locations/burton-barr">Burton Barr Central Library​<span id="ms-rterangecursor-start"></span><span id="ms-rterangecursor-end"></span></a><br></div><div class="ExternalClass0B9103F679AA4B429A5ED5E8B895D7DD"><p>In this talk, participants will learn about Dickinson’s poetic production during the Civil War, read/discuss 2-3 poems that reflect on victory/loss, and discuss the poems as commentaries on war and explorations of Dickinson’s patriotism. ​</p><br></div>No885
Verse Alive! Happy Birthday, Emily!Verse Alive! Happy Birthday, Emily!https://calendar.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/event/1759467612/10/2026 11:30:00 PM12/11/2026 12:30:00 AM<div class="ExternalClass9B4CC414C8764A07951A1603929E2C4F"><a href="/locations/burton-barr">Burton Barr Central Library​<span id="ms-rterangecursor-start"></span><span id="ms-rterangecursor-end"></span></a><br></div><div class="ExternalClass91FD0508D2BF4220A093931DCB1EB29E"><p>Join us to celebrate Emily Dickinson’s birthday! Learn more about the NEA Big Read and take home a copy of <em>The Essential Emily Dickinson</em>. Plus, print & take a limited-edition letterpress print to commemorate the great poet.  Meet on the 1st floor in front of Children’s Place.  Seating and supplies are limited. ​<br></p><span id="ms-rterangecursor-start"></span><span id="ms-rterangecursor-end"></span><br></div>No886
Pain has an element of blank: Emily Dickinson and IllnessPain has an element of blank: Emily Dickinson and Illnesshttps://calendar.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/event/175952151/31/2027 9:00:00 PM1/31/2027 10:30:00 PM<div class="ExternalClass64868E80BBE941F7902662DDB82F5E87">1st Floor, Pulliam Auditorium, <a href="/locations/burton-barr">Burton Barr Central Library​<span id="ms-rterangecursor-start"></span><span id="ms-rterangecursor-end"></span></a><br></div><div class="ExternalClassF6025117ECA64CBDB95CE2093DCCBB97"><p><span id="ms-rterangepaste-start"></span>In this talk, participants will learn about Dickinson’s illnesses, read/discuss 2-3 Dickinson poems about illness/pain, and (re)examine those poems thr<span id="ms-rterangecursor-start"></span><span id="ms-rterangecursor-end"></span>ough both Dickinson’s biography and their own lived experience with illness/pain. ​<span id="ms-rterangepaste-end"></span><br></p></div>No887
Tell it Slant: An Emily Dickinson Discussion & Writing WorkshopTell it Slant: An Emily Dickinson Discussion & Writing Workshophttps://calendar.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/event/175944523/21/2027 9:00:00 PM3/21/2027 10:30:00 PM<div class="ExternalClass4B2B4726472A4DE3A369504979FEF42B">1st Floor, Pulliam Auditorium, <a href="/locations/burton-barr">Burton Barr Central Library​<span id="ms-rterangecursor-start"></span><span id="ms-rterangecursor-end"></span></a><br></div><div class="ExternalClass1ACAEBDE24F34454BE624997BCB9C3F9"><p><span id="ms-rterangepaste-start"></span><span id="ms-rterangecursor-start"></span>In this talk, participants will learn about Dickinson’s life, read/discuss 2-3 iconic (and cryptic) Dickinson poems through the lens of her biography and craft a Dickison-inspired poem of their own. <span id="ms-rterangecursor-end"></span>​<span id="ms-rterangepaste-end"></span><br></p></div>No888
The Brain within its groove runs evenly: Emily Dickinson & NeurodivergenceThe Brain within its groove runs evenly: Emily Dickinson & Neurodivergencehttps://calendar.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/event/175952254/4/2027 9:00:00 PM4/4/2027 10:30:00 PM<div class="ExternalClassC7652C3322B84EFA888E47F950122DE9">1st Floor, Pulliam Auditorium, <a href="/locations/burton-barr">Burton Barr Central Library​<span id="ms-rterangecursor-start"></span><span id="ms-rterangecursor-end"></span></a><br></div><div class="ExternalClass38968A5E4E76423FB7DEE847D83458C2"><p>In this talk, participants will learn about Dickinson’s potential neurological/psychological conditions, read/discuss 2<span id="ms-rterangecursor-start"></span><span id="ms-rterangecursor-end"></span>-3 poems that center on the brain, and interpret them through the broad spectrum of neurodiversity (Dickinson’s and ours).  <br></p></div>No889