In April, The Big Read Dallas rallied the city and people of all ages to read Ray Bradbury’s "Fahrenheit 451." Thanks to the Friends of the Dallas Public Library, D Magazine, D Academy, and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, The Big Read Dallas encouraged everyone to read together.
To further celebrate the joy of reading, The Big Read Dallas held a Librarian of the Year competition. More than 60 librarians were nominated, with many of them receiving more than one nomination. A committee gathered to review the nominations, and it is The Big Read Dallas’ pleasure to announce that the 2013 Librarian of the Year is Pamela Brown, media specialist at William Hawley Atwell Middle School Law Academy.
More than 300 nominations for Brown came in from friends, family, and students. “Ms. Pam Brown is funny, cool, tight, and fun to hang out with,” said one nomination. “She is a cool rapper. When she raps, it is like I am listening to the radio 97.9 The Beat.”
“Ms. Pam’s enthusiasm and concern for her students is unparalleled,” wrote another nominator. “She played a big role in my childhood, and it makes me so happy that other children are able to learn from her today.”
Brown received $1,000 and an e-reader as her prize. She was recognized at The Big Read Dallas’ Read-In at Klyde Warren Park on April 27.
The National Endowment for the Arts inaugurated The Big Read as a pilot project in 2006 with ten communities featuring four books. The Big Read continues to expand to include more communities and additional books. To date, more than 1,000 grants have been awarded to communities in the U.S. to host Big Reads since the program’s 2007 national launch.
Friends of the Dallas Public Library is a membership-based nonprofit founded in 1950 and exists to support the mission of the Dallas Public Library system in its delivery of resources, services, and information to the Dallas community. Click here for more information.
D Academy is a leadership development program underwritten by D Magazine to create informed experienced stewards for the city of Dallas. Through an intensive program of lectures, coursework, and The Big Read Dallas, participants are schooled in the workings of the city—past, present, and future.