Harrison County Public Library (HCPL) partners with the Arts Alliance of Southern Indiana for the 2023 SoIN Big Read for Great Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe. Free copies of the book will be available at each branch location for the public. Find a multitude of Poe offerings in book, eBook, audiobook and movie format through the Harrison County Public Library app and online catalog.
So why read Poe? Simon & Schuster states on their website, “Edgar Allan Poe (1809 – 1849) was an American writer, poet, editor, and literary critic. Poe is best known for his poetry and short stories, particularly his tales of mystery and the macabre. He is also generally considered the inventor of the detective fiction genre and is further credited with contributing to the emerging genre of science fiction.”
HCPL is providing many fun-“chilled” activities for adults, families and youth to encourage participation in the Big Read. Beginning in October programs include painting a Poe-inspired raven picture, solving the way out of the “House of Poe” escape room, designing/making a Poe-themed journal cover and crafting a Poe-inspired fall wreath and notecards. The month will end with a “Poe”-tography class. A book discussion and a youth take-and-make cooking activity will take place in November followed in December with another opportunity to try the escape room.
The following is a list of dates, times, contact information and intended audience:
OCTOBER
- 6 p.m. Thursday, October 5 – Elizabeth Branch – PAINTING WITH JAMIE. Create a Poe-inspired fall painting with a raven. Register online at hcpl.lib.in.us or contact the Elizabeth branch at 812-969-2899 to schedule. (Adult)
- Tuesday, October 10 through Saturday, October 14 – Palmyra Branch – ESCAPE THE HOUSE OF POE. Follow clues and spine-chilling puzzles to escape the House of Poe before time runs out, or you’ll nevermore be seen again. Contact the Palmyra branch at 812-364-6425 to schedule your time slot. (Family)
- 11 a.m. Thursday, October 12 – Palmyra Branch – CREATIVE CARDS. Make a Poe-inspired card, a fall card and a Thanksgiving card. Register online at hcpl.lib.in.us or call 812-364-6425. (Adult)
- 6 p.m. Thursday, October 12 – Elizabeth Branch – POE JOURNAL. Make a junk journal with a Poe-themed cover. Register online at hcpl.lib.in.us or call 812-969-2899. (Adult)
- 1 p.m. Monday, October 16 – Corydon Branch – POE PAINTING. Create a Poe-inspired gothic painting of a raven. Register online at hcpl.lib.in.us or call 812-738-4110. (Adult)
- 5 p.m. Monday, October 16 – Lanesville Branch – CREATIVE CARDS. Make a Poe-inspired card, a fall card and a Thanksgiving card. Register online at www.hcpl.lib.in.us or call 812-952-3759. (Adult)
- 6 p.m. Tuesday, October 17 – Palmyra Branch – POE PAINTING. Create a Poe-inspired gothic painting of a raven. Register online at hcpl.lib.in.us or call 812-364-6425. (Adult)
- 5:30 p.m. Thursday, October 26 – Corydon Branch – POE-INSPIRED RAVEN WREATH. Make a wreath inspired by the Poe poem The Raven. Register online at hcpl.lib.in.us or call 812-738-4110. (Adult)
- 6 p.m. Monday, October 30 – Corydon Branch – POE-TOGRAPHY. Bring your camera (or phone) to take some Poe-inspired photos. Participants will meet at the Corydon Branch to discuss ideas and then walk around downtown Corydon to take Poe-inspired and/or macabre photos. Register online at hcpl.lib.in.us or call 812-738-4110. (Adult)
NOVEMBER
- 6 p.m. Thursday, November 16 – Corydon branch – BOOK DISCUSSION of Great Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe. An open book club style gathering will focus on the discussion questions from the book. Registration not required, bring a food item or snack to share. Contact Diana at 812-738-4110 with questions. (Adult)
- November 17 – Elizabeth Branch Cooking Academy Take & Make – PUMPKIN “POE”-NUTS. Make purple pumpkin donut holes to celebrate Edgar Allan Poe and the SoIN Big Read. Call the Elizabeth branch to pre-register at 812-969-2899. (Youth)
- November 18 – Lanesville Branch Cooking Academy Take & Make – PUMPKIN “POE”-NUTS. Make purple pumpkin donut holes to celebrate Edgar Allan Poe and the SoIN Big Read. Call the Elizabeth branch to pre-register at 812-952-3759. (Youth)
DECEMBER
- Tuesday, December 19 through Saturday, January 6 – Corydon Branch – ESCAPE THE HOUSE OF POE. Follow clues and spine-chilling puzzles to escape the House of Poe before time runs out, or you’ll nevermore be seen again. Contact the youth services department at the Corydon Branch 812-738-4110 to schedule your time slot. (Family)
The SoIN Big Read begins October 1, 2023, and runs through January 2024. The Arts Alliance of Southern Indiana will have a kickoff announcement in October. Visit the SoIN Big Read website for a listing of all programs and book distribution. The page will be updated as new information is provided. Free copies of the book will be available while supplies last.
