The DeKalb Public Library will again try to promote reading in the DeKalb area.

For the second year in a row, the library is applying for the Big Read grant sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts.

The first grant from the Big Read program gave the library $12,000 to encourage community reading.

“It was fabulous,” said Dee Coover, DeKalb Public Library director. “There was a significant increase with library interest within the community and with the number of library cards.”

After the first Big Read kickoff in October with “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury, Coover said she noticed two things jump out at her from the outcome of the program.

“First, people see me and they come right out and say, ‘I’m doing just what you said and reading the book and passing it on,'” she said. “Second, I saw a wonderful partnership created around town. Everyone was willing to learn something and work together.”

Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” is the selected book if the DeKalb Public Library receives the grant for this October’s Big Read.

“This book will provide many levels of interest with different age levels,” Coover said.

The library is applying for the maximum amount of $20,000. This extra money will go toward giving out more books to community members, including a possible free showing of the film version of the novel at the Egyptian Theatre, as well as other plans to get schools more involved with the book.

Coover also said this time will be a bit more competitive when applying for the federal grant, as an increase from about 117 communities involved in the program to over 300 is expected.

According to the National Endowment for the Arts, less than half of the adult U.S. population currently reads literature, and the percentage of the U.S. adult population reading any book has decreased by 7 percent over the last 10 years.

The goal for this program is to encourage and restore reading not only to adults, but also to every age group of Americans.

Also involved with the library in applying for the grant is Altrusa International, Inc., of DeKalb-Sycamore, District 428, Kishwaukee College Family Literacy Program and the DeKalb County Community Foundation.