The Book Sanctuary Movement Comes to Harris County
Harris County Public Library

"I think it's very important for the library to be able to provide content and information to everyone, especially in a community that is as diverse as Harris County," says HCPL Executive Director Edward Melton, “The thing about books is that they are crucial not only as mirrors that reflect our own experiences but also as windows into the experiences of others. The library must be able to provide those opportunities for all people."

This week, the Harris County Commissioners Court passed a resolution aimed at protecting Texans’ freedom to read as they choose, designating the Harris County Public Library (HCPL) as a book sanctuary. In this, the library joins over 2,700 organizations and institutions nationwide that have committed to safeguarding Americans' right to read, speak, and think for themselves.

The Book Sanctuary Resolution dovetails with HCPL’s Library for All initiative which seeks to address the needs of underrepresented and underserved communities through library policies, services, and programs with a particular focus on the library’s commitment to fight efforts to ban books that represent those communities.

Learn more on the Harris County Public Library website.

Introducing the "Off the Page" Literary Celebration
Sarasota County Libraries

Sarasota County Libraries is gearing up for its debut two-week literary festival called "Off the Page," which will include author talks, book signings, writing workshops, poetry and songwriting seminars, local history discussions and more.

“Writing and literature is a form of art that deserves to be celebrated as part of Sarasota’s world-class art scene,” said Renee Di Pilato, director of Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources. “We hope that this will be the start of an annual festival that residents can look forward to year after year.”

Bestselling fantasy author Neil Gaiman, creator of the “Sandman” comic book series, leads a distinguished lineup of authors for the upcoming Off the Page Literary Celebration. Participants can also explore the written word through programs associated with Off the Page that occur daily at every Sarasota County library location and with events scheduled for Ringling College of Art and Design and Hermitage Artist Retreat.

Read more from the Herald Tribune.

Celebrating 50 Years of Empowering the Visually Impaired
Palm Beach County Library System

For half a century, the Palm Beach County Library System's Talking Books program has been a beacon of accessibility and inclusivity for those who are blind, visually impaired, deaf-blind, physically impaired and/or veterans, offering them the gift of literature and knowledge through audio and Braille materials. This week, the library system celebrates 50 years of the program.

Talking Books is a free service to any resident of the United States or American citizen abroad who is unable to read or use large print or regular print materials as a result of temporary or permanent visual or physical limitations. This service provides a digital player and digital books to members of all ages who have a reading disability, are blind, visually impaired, deaf-blind, physically impaired and/or veterans. Mailing of materials and equipment is free.

Learn more about PBCLS's Talking Books program here.