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The Great Gatsby: Stories of Us will bring literature, history, art, and community conversation to Central Mississippi
BRANDON, Miss. — for immediate release— Central Mississippi Regional Library System (CMRLS) has been awarded a $10,000 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read grant to present The Great Gatsby: Stories of Us — Mississippi Voices & the American Dream, a community-wide reading and cultural initiative serving Rankin, Scott, Simpson, and Smith counties.
Centered on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, the initiative will invite Central Mississippians to explore the American Dream—its promises, challenges, and changing meaning—through literature, history, art, and community conversation. Themes of ambition, wealth, class, reinvention, and belonging will encourage participants to consider how the ideas presented in the novel continue to resonate in Mississippi communities today.
“We are honored to bring the NEA Big Read to Central Mississippi,” said Mara Villa Polk, CMRLS Director. “This initiative gives our communities an opportunity not only to read together, but also to share their own stories, explore what the American Dream means to them, and connect through meaningful conversations and creative experiences.”
Throughout the initiative, CMRLS will offer programs and activities at libraries and community locations across its four-county service area. Planned opportunities include free book giveaways, community book discussions, history and heritage programs, creative activities, public presentations, and special events inspired by the themes of The Great Gatsby.
The initiative will also feature Our Mississippi Dreams, a community art project inviting residents to express their own hopes, experiences, and aspirations through artwork, writing, or photography. The project will culminate in a traveling exhibit representing the voices and perspectives of communities throughout Central Mississippi.
Programming will connect with the commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, encouraging participants to explore how the idea of the American Dream has evolved throughout the nation’s history while reflecting on the many voices and experiences that continue to shape the American story.
CMRLS will work alongside schools, civic organizations, local governments, cultural organizations, artists, historians, and other community partners to bring programming to residents throughout Rankin, Scott, Simpson, and Smith counties.
NEA Big Read with CMRLS: Stories of Us Programs Began in September
CMRLS kicked off the initiative in September with special programs throughout the library system. Community members are invited to begin exploring the themes of The Great Gatsby: Stories of Us through programs featuring literature, history, creativity, and conversation. This initiative will continue throughout December.
NEA Big Read with CMRLS: Stories of Us – Gatsby Glam
Lake Public Library | Monday, October 5, 2026 | 2:30 p.m.
School’s out, so step back into the Roaring ’20s! Get creative and add a little Gatsby-era glamour to your day by designing a fabulous flapper-inspired headband or a dazzling 1920s party decoration. Come ready to craft, create, and celebrate the glitz and glamour of the Jazz Age!
Lake Public Library | Monday, October 5, 2026 | 2:30 p.m.
School’s out, so step back into the Roaring ’20s! Get creative and add a little Gatsby-era glamour to your day by designing a fabulous flapper-inspired headband or a dazzling 1920s party decoration. Come ready to craft, create, and celebrate the glitz and glamour of the Jazz Age!
NEA Big Read with CMRLS: Stories of Us – Gatsby Trivia and Mocktails Social Hour
Harrisville Public Library | Tuesday, October 13, 2026 | 10:00 a.m.
Come join us for a fun trivia game all about the 1920s and The Great Gatsby! We’ll also be sipping on some delicious mocktails inspired by the era.
Harrisville Public Library | Tuesday, October 13, 2026 | 10:00 a.m.
Come join us for a fun trivia game all about the 1920s and The Great Gatsby! We’ll also be sipping on some delicious mocktails inspired by the era.
NEA Big Read with CMRLS: Stories of Us – Murder of a Millionaire
Raleigh Public Library | Thursday, October 15, 2026 | 3:30 p.m.
Step into a world of wealth, secrets, and suspicion during NEA Big Read with CMRLS: Stories of Us — Murder of a Millionaire. Put your detective skills to the test as you follow the clues, uncover hidden motives, and work to solve a mysterious millionaire’s murder. Can you piece together the evidence and identify the killer before the mystery is revealed?
Raleigh Public Library | Thursday, October 15, 2026 | 3:30 p.m.
Step into a world of wealth, secrets, and suspicion during NEA Big Read with CMRLS: Stories of Us — Murder of a Millionaire. Put your detective skills to the test as you follow the clues, uncover hidden motives, and work to solve a mysterious millionaire’s murder. Can you piece together the evidence and identify the killer before the mystery is revealed?
NEA Big Read with CMRLS: Stories of Us – MS Swing Band Performance
Flowood Public Library | Monday, October 26, 2026 | 6:30 p.m.
The Jazz Age is calling! Join us for a special performance by the Mississippi Swing Band, presented in collaboration with NEA Big Read in celebration of The Great Gatsby! This will be an evening of live music in the library, so it will be loud! Feel free to come wearing some 1920s attire with some comfortable footwear! Light refreshments will be provided.
Flowood Public Library | Monday, October 26, 2026 | 6:30 p.m.
The Jazz Age is calling! Join us for a special performance by the Mississippi Swing Band, presented in collaboration with NEA Big Read in celebration of The Great Gatsby! This will be an evening of live music in the library, so it will be loud! Feel free to come wearing some 1920s attire with some comfortable footwear! Light refreshments will be provided.
NEA Big Read with CMRLS: Stories of Us – Gatsby’s Glass and Glamour
Richland Public Library | Saturday, October 10, 2026 | 3:00 p.m.
Bring a little Roaring ’20s glamour to your next craft night! We’ll transform ordinary plastic champagne glasses into fabulous Great Gatsby-inspired decorative pieces using glitter, embellishments, metallic accents, and Art Deco-inspired designs. Join us for a little creativity, a touch of glitter, and plenty of Gatsby Style!
Richland Public Library | Saturday, October 10, 2026 | 3:00 p.m.
Bring a little Roaring ’20s glamour to your next craft night! We’ll transform ordinary plastic champagne glasses into fabulous Great Gatsby-inspired decorative pieces using glitter, embellishments, metallic accents, and Art Deco-inspired designs. Join us for a little creativity, a touch of glitter, and plenty of Gatsby Style!
These October events are just the beginning. Additional NEA Big Read with CMRLS: Stories of Us programs will be offered throughout the initiative, providing opportunities for residents of all ages to read, create, learn, and connect.
For the most current dates, times, locations, and program information, visit the CMRLS Events Calendar at www.cmrls.lib.ms.us/events/ and search “NEA Big Read with CMRLS: Stories of Us.”
About Central Mississippi Regional Library System
Central Mississippi Regional Library System serves residents of Rankin, Scott, Simpson, and Smith counties through a network of public library branches committed to literacy, lifelong learning, and equitable access to information and culture. CMRLS provides public humanities initiatives, author talks, book discussions, arts programming, heritage events, and other community-centered programs throughout Central Mississippi.
About NEA Big Read
The National Endowment for the Arts Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest that broadens our understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through the power of a shared reading experience.
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