The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) currently is running the GREAT AMERICAN READ, an eight-part television series that explores and celebrates the power of reading, told through the prism of America’s 100 best-loved novels (as chosen in a national survey).  It investigates how and why writers create their fictional worlds, how we as readers are affected by these stories, and what these 100 different books have to say about our diverse nation and our shared human experience.

Ozarks Public Television (OPT), the MSU Libraries, and the MSU Department of English are partnering with many public library districts in southwest Missouri to do a complementary GREAT OZARKS READ. Each member of each participating public library district, as well as members of the MSU campus community, are encouraged to vote as well for their favorite book from the list of 100. The results will be announced later this fall.