Prendergast Library will kick off the 2011 Big Read from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, in the main reading room of the library at 509 Cherry St., Jamestown.
"We hope the public will join us to have some fun and get ready to embark on another reading adventure together," said Catherine Way, library director.
This year's Big Read features The Stories and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe. At the Prendergast Library, Poe's works will be on display and refreshments will be served.
"Who knows? You might even see Poe himself," said Tina Scott, library assistant director.
A 25-minute colorized version of Poe's story "The Tell-Tale Heart," suggested for ages 10 and up, will also be screened at 7:30 p.m.
The Big Read partners members of the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System with the State University at Fredonia.
"The purpose is to bring communities together through books. Jamestown's kickoff event is a perfect example of that happening," said Randy Gadikian, director of Daniel A. Reed Library at SUNY Fredonia.
As the Big Read unfolds during the last two weeks of October, Prendergast Library will offer other events for adults and children. For more information, call 484-7135, ext. 225.
The National Endowment for the Arts presents the Big Read in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest.
For more information, visit bigread2011.weebly.com/.