WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.480 align:middle line:90% [APPLAUSE] 00:00:01.480 --> 00:00:01.980 align:middle line:90% 00:00:01.980 --> 00:00:03.900 align:middle line:84% Well, on behalf of Literacy Connects, 00:00:03.900 --> 00:00:08.070 align:middle line:84% I just want to say thank you all for being here and welcome. 00:00:08.070 --> 00:00:10.230 align:middle line:84% The Literacy Connects really believes 00:00:10.230 --> 00:00:13.950 align:middle line:84% in the power of literacy, and learning, and being creative, 00:00:13.950 --> 00:00:15.390 align:middle line:90% and creative expression. 00:00:15.390 --> 00:00:17.640 align:middle line:84% And we really know what it's like when 00:00:17.640 --> 00:00:19.920 align:middle line:84% people don't have access to that sort of thing 00:00:19.920 --> 00:00:22.740 align:middle line:84% and we see what changes it has in their lives 00:00:22.740 --> 00:00:25.982 align:middle line:84% when they actually realize what it's 00:00:25.982 --> 00:00:27.940 align:middle line:84% like to be able to have access to those things. 00:00:27.940 --> 00:00:30.930 align:middle line:84% So the Big Read really gives us the opportunity 00:00:30.930 --> 00:00:34.110 align:middle line:84% to share more of that with the community here, 00:00:34.110 --> 00:00:37.390 align:middle line:84% and we're really happy to be a part of that. 00:00:37.390 --> 00:00:39.690 align:middle line:84% So, like Tyler said, the Big Read 00:00:39.690 --> 00:00:43.140 align:middle line:84% is the national program initiated by the National 00:00:43.140 --> 00:00:45.060 align:middle line:90% Endowment for the Arts. 00:00:45.060 --> 00:00:48.810 align:middle line:84% 75 organizations in the country got the grant this year 00:00:48.810 --> 00:00:52.180 align:middle line:84% and we were fortunate enough to be one of those this year. 00:00:52.180 --> 00:00:54.750 align:middle line:84% So we are able to bring the Big Read to Tucson 00:00:54.750 --> 00:00:56.620 align:middle line:90% and we're happy to do that. 00:00:56.620 --> 00:00:58.980 align:middle line:84% It's a little unfair for Literacy Connects 00:00:58.980 --> 00:01:02.130 align:middle line:84% to take credit for that because we've 00:01:02.130 --> 00:01:03.660 align:middle line:84% been working on this for a while, 00:01:03.660 --> 00:01:06.220 align:middle line:84% and it's been a lot of fun, and it's been really exciting, 00:01:06.220 --> 00:01:07.637 align:middle line:84% but we couldn't have done anything 00:01:07.637 --> 00:01:10.230 align:middle line:84% without all of our partners and we have a lot of them. 00:01:10.230 --> 00:01:12.690 align:middle line:84% The U of A Poetry Center has been a huge partner 00:01:12.690 --> 00:01:16.650 align:middle line:84% and really they've been instrumental in making 00:01:16.650 --> 00:01:18.870 align:middle line:84% the Big Read really interesting, and adding to it. 00:01:18.870 --> 00:01:21.300 align:middle line:84% And their creativity and their willingness 00:01:21.300 --> 00:01:24.090 align:middle line:84% to be a part of this has been huge. 00:01:24.090 --> 00:01:26.010 align:middle line:84% And also I just want to briefly thank 00:01:26.010 --> 00:01:29.505 align:middle line:84% our speaker tonight, Paul, who has been amazing 00:01:29.505 --> 00:01:32.280 align:middle line:84% and has been an amazing resource for us. 00:01:32.280 --> 00:01:38.400 align:middle line:84% And he always says yes when we call and ask him for anything, 00:01:38.400 --> 00:01:40.980 align:middle line:84% whether it's information or willingness to go and speak 00:01:40.980 --> 00:01:44.438 align:middle line:84% to even middle school kids we found out maybe tonight. 00:01:44.438 --> 00:01:46.230 align:middle line:84% So I hope I don't jinx that by saying that, 00:01:46.230 --> 00:01:48.690 align:middle line:84% but he's been a really great resource. 00:01:48.690 --> 00:01:52.572 align:middle line:84% Some of you when you sat down you found books; 00:01:52.572 --> 00:01:54.030 align:middle line:84% that's one of the things that we're 00:01:54.030 --> 00:01:58.500 align:middle line:84% doing around town as one of our outreach programs for the Big 00:01:58.500 --> 00:01:59.520 align:middle line:90% Read. 00:01:59.520 --> 00:02:01.590 align:middle line:84% We're giving away books and we're actually 00:02:01.590 --> 00:02:03.720 align:middle line:84% leaving books in areas where people can find them. 00:02:03.720 --> 00:02:06.900 align:middle line:84% So you all here-- some of you at least-- 00:02:06.900 --> 00:02:09.910 align:middle line:84% are the first ones really to find some of these. 00:02:09.910 --> 00:02:13.690 align:middle line:84% So we invite you to look inside the book and read it. 00:02:13.690 --> 00:02:17.970 align:middle line:84% And-- well, reading is important so do that. 00:02:17.970 --> 00:02:20.790 align:middle line:84% And also there's a little instruction in there, 00:02:20.790 --> 00:02:23.640 align:middle line:84% how you can get more engaged with the program. 00:02:23.640 --> 00:02:26.940 align:middle line:84% So I invite you to visit our website-- 00:02:26.940 --> 00:02:30.660 align:middle line:84% bigreadconnects.org-- bigreadconnectstucson.org. 00:02:30.660 --> 00:02:32.910 align:middle line:84% And if you want to learn more about Literacy Connects, 00:02:32.910 --> 00:02:35.370 align:middle line:84% visit the Literacy Connects website. 00:02:35.370 --> 00:02:37.920 align:middle line:84% And I'm really happy that you guys are here. 00:02:37.920 --> 00:02:40.110 align:middle line:84% With that I just want to introduce 00:02:40.110 --> 00:02:42.600 align:middle line:84% Lee Medovoi, who is an English professor here 00:02:42.600 --> 00:02:45.430 align:middle line:84% and also the head of the English department here at the U of A. 00:02:45.430 --> 00:02:46.620 align:middle line:84% And he's going to tell you a little bit 00:02:46.620 --> 00:02:47.953 align:middle line:90% about Paul, our speaker tonight. 00:02:47.953 --> 00:02:49.830 align:middle line:84% So, again, thank you for being here. 00:02:49.830 --> 00:02:51.980 align:middle line:90% [APPLAUSE]