The program started in September 2004 with Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury’s science fiction classic about government censorship.

In 2008, Reading Across Plainfield was re-named The Great Read to encourage broader community participation, better reflect the areas served by the participating organizations and emphasize the program’s literary focus.

The Great Read is proudly presented by Plainfield District 202; the Plainfield Public Library; the Joliet Public Library; the Fountaindale Public Library; Plainfield Township; and the Joliet-area Barnes and Noble stores, and is supported through a generous grant by the Plainfield Foundation for Excellence.