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This week was Banned Books Week and according to the American Library Association, the theme was “Let Freedom Read.” I was honored to be invited to share some thoughts at an event hosted by the University of Illinois at Chicago with Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias. Having grown up in Florida, I am watching in horror as that state fights to be the epicenter of attacks on human rights and freedoms. Their efforts to erase the LBGTQ+ community have been painful to see play out in real time, knowing how much harm they are doing to people I know and young people growing up there, just trying to figure out who they are like I was.
I found so much comfort in books growing up there, and our school and public librarians were literally my heroes. I wasn’t athletic, which left me out of a lot of activities with my peers, but I spent many happy hours in the stacks at the Anna Maria Public Library exploring the endless possibilities the world might hold for me. I was never made to feel ashamed for my (probably ever so slightly annoying) endless curiosity and the librarians would happily help me find books on the story I saw in the news, or the animal I read about in another book and they certainly never told me I read too much. I was so very fortunate and I want that for every child.
Which is why I’ve been thrilled to see Secretary Giannoulias lean into his role as State Librarian. Earlier this year, we were informed that in one of the first rounds of library grants in his term, our very own Centro Romero was a recipient of funds to update their library. Also this week, Secretary Giannoulias announced a $420,000 grant to provide updated reading materials and other supplies to Illinois prisons. Each of our 28 facilities stands to receive $15,000, representing the first public money of any kind going to prison libraries in six years. When I served as Chair of the Appropriations - Public Safety Committee, insufficient funding for programming in our prisons was a constant refrain, so this is an incredible investment and one I hope continues as we know that programming of all sorts is critical for successful return from prison.
The event featured a read out by Nic Stone, author of Dear Martin, which is among the most banned books in the country. Hearing her read a segment of the book in which a character’s father apologizes to their son for not preparing them adequately for what it means to grow up as a young Black man was incredibly powerful. Following the reading, we had a panel discussion featuring Ms. Stone, as well as a school librarian, and a professor of literature at the university who all shared their thoughts on the importance of reading and ways to encourage students to become avid readers. I was happy to get to reconnect with an old friend at the event as well. Daphne Russell was a friend back when I lived in Tallahassee who I recently reconnected with through the magic of social media. She was invited to participate in the event as well as the founder of BooksSaveLives.org and a passionate activist for literacy. Her belief that every kid can be a reader if they have access to the right material is centered on her previous career as a literacy teacher and is the foundation of the organization’s work.
Sweater weather is officially here, which means we’re down to the last few Glenwood Sunday Markets. I love getting to see neighbors (and dogs and babies) and meeting the farmers and I always get a little sad when it’s over. Edgewater friends: you can extend your farmers market season a bit by heading up - hope to see you! Don’t forget that the office is closed on Monday for the state holiday. We’ll be back at it on Tuesday. Looking forward to checking out The Rhapsody Theater for a fundraiser for The Wild Onion Coop. I got a sneak peek today at the space under construction and it’s really exciting to see this dream for so many dedicated folks start to take shape.
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