Celebrate the Freedom to Read at Lenox Library!
Head to the Library on Thursday, October 5 between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. for Let Freedom Read, a statewide read-in to celebrate the freedom to read.
Join us for an afternoon devoted to “freadom”:
- 3:30 p.m.: Banned Book Magnets – Join Library Director Katie for a fun craft using cover images from banned books. For youth in grades 6 through 12.
- 4:00 p.m.: We Love to Read Story Time – Join Youth Librarian Jenney for a special story time devoted to the love of reading, then receive a take-home craft to make your very own book! For preschool and elementary age children.
- 5:30 p.m.: Read Aloud – Join Lenox author Brendan Mathews (The World of Tomorrow; This Is Not a Love Song), Lenox’s favorite bookseller Matt Tannenbaum of The Bookstore, and, of course, our librarians as they share excerpts from their favorite books.
All afternoon (3:00-6:00 p.m.):
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- Pick a favorite book and spot in the Library to read
- View our banned book displays throughout the Library
- Add to our “freadom wall” in the Welles Gallery by filling out a magnet with the titles of your three favorite books
- Get some free library swag and enjoy refreshments (while supplies last)
Digital participation is also welcomed. Download an eBook or audiobook through Overdrive/Libby and use #LetFreedomReadMA and #lenoxlibrary to post pictures to social media. For a complete list of participating libraries go to libraries.state.ma.us.
According to the American Library Association, there were 45 book challenges in Massachusetts in 2022 affecting 57 titles. That’s more than the past 9 years (2013-2021) combined which totaled 38 challenges. Nationwide, ALA reported 1,270 book challenges in 2022, up significantly from 350 in 2019. The Massachusetts Library Association, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, the Massachusetts Library System, and the Massachusetts School Library Association recently released a statement in support of libraries and intellectual freedom. Individuals can show their support by signing on at tinyurl.com/supporting-libraries.
Let Freedom Read is supported by your local library and the Joint Task Force for Intellectual Freedom with members from the Massachusetts Library Association, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, the Massachusetts Library System, and the Massachusetts School Library Association.