max.bowen@northstarreporter.com
Later this month, the Richards Memorial Library and state Rep. Adam Scanlon, D-North Attleborough, will partner to host “Free to Read: A Community Celebration.”
This free event will feature an afternoon and evening of programming celebrating the freedom to read and highlighting the state’s recently enacted protections for free expression, according to a press release.
“Free to Read” will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Richards Memorial Library and will feature activities and programming for residents of all ages. No registration is required.
Adult Services Librarian Joseph Morra said that Scalon’s office reached out to the library in April to discuss partnering on an event connected to banned books. This was around the time Scanlon was working as one of the main sponsors of the legislation that would become An Act Regarding Free Expression. The legislation was authored by Scanlon and signed into law by Gov. Maura Healey in August.
“Scanlon has been a big supporter of our library (and libraries in general), so this partnership was an easy decision,” Morra said in response to questions emailed by the Reporter. “Since Banned Books Week is in October, we agreed that an event this month made the most sense.”
Scanlon said that reading opens up all sorts of opportunities for people, whether it’s reading for pleasure, learning something new, discovering a new place to visit or exploring different perspectives.
“Events like this bring people together to celebrate that freedom and remind us that everyone should have the opportunity to read what interests them without unnecessary restrictions,” Scanlon said in an email.
October is Banned Books Month, celebrating the freedom to read and the role libraries play in providing access to books, information and ideas, according to the event announcement.
Throughout the afternoon and evening, the library will offer youth activities, a documentary screening and a banned books display. According to Morra, books which will be on display include “Bluest Eye,” “The Kite Runner,” “The Hate U Give,” “Last Night at the Telegraph Club” and “Dear Martin.”
“We want people to enjoy reading, for whatever purpose they want: education, enjoyment or enlightenment,” Morra said. “Having access to books and printed material that may inspire new ideas and/or creativity is crucial to a thoughtful, healthy community.”
The celebration will culminate with a moderated evening panel featuring Scanlon, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners Commissioner Debby Conrad and local educator Kristin Pickering.
“I hope people walk away with a greater appreciation for the freedom to read and express themselves,” Scanlon said. “I also hope the event raises awareness of ‘An Act Regarding Free Expression,’ legislation I sponsored to protect those freedoms. Most importantly, I want attendees to celebrate the fact that we live in a state where intellectual freedom is valued and where we can come together as a community to celebrate it.”
The celebration will also feature a video welcome from poet, author and educator Mahogany L. Browne, co-author of “Woke: A Young Poet’s Call to Justice.” Browne’s message will explore themes of voice, literacy, curiosity, and self-expression and their connection to the freedom to read.
“The Richards Memorial Library is honored to host State Representative Adam Scanlon, MBLC Commissioner Debby Conrad, and local educator Kristin Pickering for this special event,” said Library Director Debbie Clifton in a statement. “We wish to thank Rep. Scanlon for his outstanding support of libraries.”
For more information, visit rmlonline.org/calendar.