Organizers are counting on Ray Bradbury's science fiction classic "Fahrenheit 451" to resonate today as it did when it was first published in 1953. The 55-year-old story about a holocaust of books, intellect and knowledge has never been out of print, but does it connect with readers?

The big draw to the Big Read, an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts, in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Arts Midwest and the South Dakota Center for the Book, will be curiosity about Bradbury's futuristic outcome of society compared to what has actually evolved, according to Kathy Antonen, professor of humanities at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.

She will lead the "Fahrenheit 451" discussion as part of the library's "Sunday Selections" on April 20. She says what will pique people's curiosity about the book is Bradbury's provocative premise of America's future society.

"Bradbury paints a scary disastrous scenario. What I think will happen is that people will have remembered the movie more than the book," she said.

In an ironic twist, Antonen and those who will have read the book will have the freedom to do in public the very thing that Bradbury's protagonist could only do in secret.

"We get to do the very opposite of (Guy Montag's) book burning," she said of the discussion.

Asked if the book could bring in a new generation of readers and fans, Antonen was emphatic.

"Yes, it still has that power to bring in the next generation," she said.

Don and Kim Kelley of Voices of the Heartland Independent Film Society agree.

The public still battles issues that are at the heart of "Fahrenheit 451," Don Kelley said. The couple will introduce the film version of Bradbury's book at an April 28 showing of "Fahrenheit 451" at the Elks Theatre. Even after more than 40 years, the 1966 film holds up well.

"I think it remains germane to what is going on today," Kelley said.

Kelley, a Vietnam veteran, said he sees a tendency for information that is dispensed to the public to be manipulated by the media and those releasing the news.

"I think recent examples would be prior to and up until the time of the Iraq war. …What information was available was cherry picked; the administration made a good case for going to war," Kelley said.

Following the movie, the Kelleys will pose a few questions to audience members to find out their reaction to the film.

"We end up learning a lot," he said.

The National Endowment for the Arts announced in December 2007 that Rapid City was one of 127 communities nationwide to receive a Big Read grant for 2008. The Big Read is a national program designed to get an entire community to read the same book at the same time. In just two years, the Big Read has grown from 10 communities to include more than 100 towns and cities nationwide. The event in April includes book discussions, film screenings, an essay contest, exhibits and more.

Antonen has led book discussions for more than a decade. People have the opportunity to express their views, listen to other people's interpretations, bring their questions and challenge Bradbury's theme and each other.

"People love it because they are good readers. Here people have self-selected this book for reading and they come with enthusiasm and a critique," she said.

With 100 copies of the book available for checkout at the library, Antonen suggests that readers arm themselves with a paper and pen to jot down things they want to share, significant passages, points of agreement and points of issue or contention. Remember, there are no right answers, she said.

"It will be a very lively discussion," Antonen added.

Big Read schedule

n Tuesday, April 8: Kickoff of the Big Read with chamber of commerce mixer at library.

n Wednesday, April 9: Family Story Time guest is a Rapid City Fire Department fireman with fire truck reading emergency vehicle stories at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the library.

n Monday, April 14: Registration deadline at noon for Wednesday's main library's Lunch and Learn forum, "Fire Prevention Program." To reserve a seat, call 394-6139.

n Tuesday, April 15: Rapid City Fire Department fireman will read stories at Baby Bookworms Story time, 9:30 a.m. and 10 a.m., main library; a fire truck will visit the library. Tuesday Family Story Time, 6 p.m. Guest and Emergency Vehicle Stories arrive at General Beadle North Library.

n Wednesday, April 16: Lunch and Learn at noon in the main library features "Fire Prevention Program" by the Game Fish & Parks Fire wise program; Scott Rausch, whose home was saved by fire prevention measures; and the Rapid City Fire Department. Sponsored by Friends of the Library; register by noon Monday, April 14.

n Thursday, April 17: Rapid City Fire Department fireman will read stories at Baby Bookworms Story Time, 9:30 a.m. and 10 a.m., at the main library. Fire truck will be parked at the library.

n Sunday, April 20: Big Read discussion of Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451" led by Professor Kathy Antonen of South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at main library, 610 Quincy St.

n Monday, April 28: Library partnering with the Voices of the Heartland Independent Film Group to present the film "Fahrenheit 451" at 6:30 p.m. at the Elks Theatre. Cost: $5. Discussion will follow the film.

n Saturday, May 3: Winners of the Big Read Essay, Video and Art Contests announced from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on World Press Freedom Day. This will be held at the main library.

If you go

What: Discussion of "Fahrenheit 451"

When: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 20

Cost: Free

Where: Rapid City Public Library, 610 Quincy St.

Professor Kathy Antonen of South Dakota School of Mines & Technology will lead discussion.

What: Voices of the Heartland Independent Film Group presentation of the 1966 film "Fahrenheit 451"

When: 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 28; discussion to follow film.

Cost: $5

Where: Elks Theatre, 512 Sixth St.

Contact Jomay Steen at 394-8418 or jomay.steen@rapidcityjournal.com.