One Book, One Springfield: Library Director's Welcome

Library Director's Welcome

Thank you for choosing to participate in One Book, One Springfield 2006. I hope that this year's selection, Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, proves as timely and thought-provoking as last year's The Color of Water. One Book, One Springfield is the culmination of efforts from every part of our community; in particular, I would like to thank the following people who served for all or part of the year on the project's steering committee, and helped to make this year's project a success:

Aliza Ansell, ABE Instructor, Massachusetts Career Development Institute.
Joshua Bogin – Friends of the Springfield Library, Springfield Public Schools.
Jan Denney - Springfield Library Commission, Executive Director, Catholic Charities Agency.
Karen Dorval - Outreach Librarian, Baystate Health System.
Tamson Ely - Dean of Library Services, Springfield Technical Community College.
Sylvia Humphrey-Spann - retired branch library manager.
Janet Kelly - Manager, Read Write Now Adult Learning Center.
Ann-Marie Mahnken - Springfield Finance Control Board office, former library staff.
Moraima Mendoza - Spanish-American Union.
James Morton, Executive Director, Massachusetts Career Development Institute.
Tom Paleologopoulos - Springfield Public Schools.
Joan Reilly - Springfield Mayor's Office.
Dora Robinson - Executive Director, Martin Luther King Community Center.
Erica Walch - Armoury-Quadrangle Civic Association.
Jo-Anne Wilson-Keenan - Springfield Public Schools.
Linda Grodofsky, Ann Keefe - Springfield City Library Staff members

Fahrenheit 451's themes of censorship, the right to privacy, the social impact of media saturation, and the balance between personal freedom and security remain as relevant today as they were when the book was first published fifty years ago. The book's diverse topics are sure to resonate with readers of all backgrounds, fulfilling the promise of One Book, One Springfield to bring us closer together as a community. Fahrenheit 451 is a book for all ages to enjoy, and for families to read together. The Springfield City Library is proud to sponsor One Book, One Springfield in an effort to further demonstrate that our libraries are truly community centers that provide opportunities for people to read, to discuss, to listen, and to enjoy the diversity of ideas that our city has to offer. We will all be stronger with your participation. Thank you for joining us.

Emily Bader