Read-Out set for MLK Day

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. day, the Monroe County Public Library, 303 E. Kirkwood Ave., will be holding a Read-Out in conjunction with the City of Bloomington's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Commission.\nVolunteers from diverse campus and community organizations will present children's books to heighten awareness about issues in children's literature and literacy from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday. Special presentations of the film "Martin's Big Words" will also be held at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to help illustrate the goals and aspirations of King in honor of his commitment to community involvement.\nPatti Callison, Monroe County Public Library's manager of children's services, said the only requirement of volunteers is to be older than 13. Volunteers participate individually or through community or campus groups.\n"Our overall goal of the day is to think not only about Martin Luther King, Jr., and how we want the community to think about diversity" Callison said. "But the library also has the goal of stressing the importance of sharing literature and the meaning and impact words can have on children."\nThe messages conveyed in chosen books will be of tolerance and race relations in an inclusive society. Callison said most of the audience will be children who happen to be in the library that day and their parents or visitors.\nDiversity and volunteering concerns were key to program coordinators such as Craig Brenner, special projects program coordinator for the City of Bloomington's Community and Family Resources Department. While Brenner said many view Martin Luther King, Jr., Day as a break from work or school, such city programs promote volunteer work to encourage the importance of civic involvement every day.\n"It's part of a broader attempt to make the King Holiday a day on and not a day off," Brenner said. "We're trying to create as many service opportunities as possible, and we hope that people will see the volunteer spirit and the need to continue throughout the year."\nLee Bowlen, special projects program assistant, said the Read-Out and other city holiday activities and events will provide volunteers with the understanding behind Dr. King's message.\n"I think it will expose children to books and writings that regard accepting diversity and that volunteering is an important act of community service," Bowlen said. "His message was that service was a great equalizer. That people in the community from all walks of life can come together for a common goal."\nLocals interested in participating in the Read-Out or other Martin Luther King, Jr., Day events can visit www.bloomington.in.gov.\n-- Contact staff writer Jackie Corgan at jcorgan@indiana.edu.