Johnston County Commissioners recently adopted a proclamation declaring February 2009, The Big Read Month in Johnston County, and furthered encouraged all citizens to participate in the month-long activities scheduled to highlight the featured novel, "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee.

According to a news release, the Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest. The Big Read-Johnston County is a partnership between the Johnston County Arts Council and The Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield.

The Big Read is the first direct funding the Johnston County Arts Council has received from the National Endowment for the Arts to promote reading for pleasure.

Zilphia Adcock, Interim Executive Director of the Johnston County Arts Council stated:

‘This is the most extensive program in the Arts Councils 36 year history and we are proud to have the support of our County Commissioners. Bringing a classic novel like "To Kill A Mockingbird" to 150,000 county residents is a tremendous task, but community support from ALL our local officials has been overwhelming. February will be an exciting time in Johnston County with numerous programs, book discussions and film screenings to highlight the novel. We encourage everyone to pick up the novel, read and share in this literary classic. The Arts Council would like to thank all of the County Commissioners for their continued support of the arts in Johnston County!'

Johnston County is one of 208 communities nationwide to receive a grant to host The Big Read from September 2008-June 2009.