Great Read 2019 Kicks Off With Wizard Of Oz Trivia, Art Contest

PLAINFIELD, IL— The Plainfield Public Library is launching its 2019 Great Read community literacy program with L. Frank Baum's "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." Nearly 120 years after Dorothy and Toto took their first steps down the Yellow Brick Road, the story remains a classic worldwide. It has spawned countless spin-offs, stage productions and films, including the 1939 technicolor classic.

The program, which aims to promote literacy, reading, conversation and community in the greater Plainfield area, is sponsored by The Plainfield School District 202, Joliet Barnes and Noble and participating public libraries and is supported by grants or in-kind donations from the Plainfield Foundation for Excellence, Plainfield Township, Joliet Barnes and Noble, Voyager media and participating public libraries.

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The 2019 Great Read kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 31 at the Ottawa Street Branch of the Joliet Public Library. Register online for a "Wizard of Oz" Trivia game. Teams can be as large as five people and singles will be combined into teams, officials said.

The Great Read finale will be held Thursday, February 28 at 6:30 p.m. at the Plainfield Public Library. The library will screen the 1939 film staring Judy Garland and attendees are encouraged to dress up as their favorite characters. Refreshments will be available and admission is free.

Participating libraries are also holding a community art contest as part of the Great Read program. Artists can submit entries inspired by "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" in any medium. Entries can be up to two feet high, weigh up to five pounds, or be up to 2.5 minutes long for video or audio.

Entries will be judged in four age groups: pre-K to 2nd grade, 3rd to 5th grade, 6th to 8th grade and 9th grade and older. The top winner in each group will receive a $50 Barnes and Noble gift card. Entries will be displayed digitally and the winners will be announced at the Great Read's finale at the Plainfield Public Library.

You can drop off artwork at any of these participating libraries between January 14 and February 15.

• Plainfield Public Library -- 15025 S. Illinois St., Plainfield
• Fountaindale Public Library -- 300 W. Briarcliff Road, Bolingbrook
• Joliet Public Library, Black Road Branch -- 3395 Black Road, Joliet
• Joliet Public Library, Main Branch – 150 N. Ottawa St., Joliet
• Joliet Junior College Library – 1215 Houbolt Road, Joliet
• The White Oak Library, Romeoville Branch – 201 W. Normantown Road, Romeoville
• The White Oak Library, Lockport Branch – 121 E. 8 th Street, Lockport
• The White Oak Library, Crest Hill Branch – 20670 Len Kubinski Drive, Crest Hill

If you want your artwork back, be sure to pick it up between March 4 and March 8 at the library where you dropped it off. Artwork not picked up by 4 p.m. on March 8 will be recycled, officials said.

Find more information here.

Images via Plainfield Public Library