Lawrence Public Library

Lawrence Reads collection, 2010-2012

The material described in this catalog record is located in the collections of the Lawrence Public Library, Lawrence, Mass

In the years leading up to the celebration of the Centennial of the Lawrence, Mass., Textile Workers' Strike of 1912, colloquially known as the "Bread and Roses Strike", Louise Sandberg, an LPL staff and Bread and Roses Centennial Committee member volunteered the Library to run a "City Read". A "City Read", often called "On the Same Page" is an activity where the local public library sponsors the reading of a particular book by the entire community. The book chosen was "Bread and Roses, too!" by Katherine Paterson. The book had only recently been published and was a fictional account from two childrens perspective. Ms. Sandberg had been in contact with Ms. Paterson who lives in Vermont. Very early on her participation was part of the plans made during the centennial year. The LPL with Ms. Sandberg as the contact person, applied for the maximum "On the Same Page" grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, with a letter of intent on Dec. 1, 2010. The contract and agreement were signed on Sept. 14, 2011. Posters were made with photographs taken of patrons on Jan. 31, 2012, with the label Lawrence Reads! beneath their image. The posters were mounted up the inside of the spiral staircase from the first to the second floor. A presentation was made to the City Council on Mar. 7, 2012. The first event of Lawrence Reads! was the kick off which included a puppet show performed by Anne Obar and Lois Elliot as Rosa Serutti and Jake Beale and a Skype connection with the author, Katherine Paterson. It was performed in the Library's auditorium on Mar. 3, 2012. In the evening Prof. Bob Forrant presented a slide show about the 1912 strike in the Library's auditorium. On May 1, the entire book was read aloud by young and old in the exhibit area of the old Everett Mill. Ms. Paterson visited a number of schools for the two days preceding the last event. This was final activity to include the author herself.

Collection is open for research

2015555669

Finding aid in the repository.

2.5 linear ft.

(OCoLC)930609161