Community Rallies for Dedham Libraries This Friday April 7 at Main Library

DEDHAM, MA - For those hearing about the amazing transformations underway at the Dedham Public Libraries, they'll have a chance to see it and celebrate this Friday April 7th at 7pm at DPL's Main Branch as the Dedham Library Innovation Team (DLIT) hosts its seventh annual Dedham Reads Together party. The book-themed bash celebrates the town-wide read of the New York Times bestseller The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba (whose TED Talk has been viewed over 2 million times,) with co-author Bryan Mealer.

The gala event will take place at the Dedham Public Library, 43 Church Street, on Friday, April 7, from 7 pm to 10 pm and will include refreshments, bar service, and live ethno-jazz music. DIY maker inventions by Dedham students based on the themes of the book will also be on display and a silent auction and raffle will add to the festivities. A highlight of the silent auction will be several library roof slate wall hangings, painted by local artists. Organizers of the gala are excited about using the Main Library as the venue for the evening, and plan to showcase some of the recent renovations and additions to the library’s collections as part of the event.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is the true story about Malawi-born author William Kamkwamba and how his quest to help his village struggling with drought and hunger led him build a electricity-producing
windmill from recycled materials. Throughout February and March, Dedham community members have been encouraged to read Kamkwamba’s book and participate in related programs and activities. Now the entire community has been invited to celebrate at the festive finale event - even if they haven't read the book.

This year’s Dedham Reads Together program is being generously supported by Lead Sponsor Needham Bank, as well as Gold Sponsor Dedham Savings, along with in-kind support from the Boston Beer Company, Ziad Griege and Tedeschi Food Shops, Wegman’s, Roche Brothers, BJs, and other community partners. Tickets for the Dedham Reads Together Gala can be purchased online at http://dedhamreads2017.eventbrite.com, or by sending a check for $35 per ticket to DLIT, 164 Monroe Street, Dedham, MA 02026. Tickets will also be available at the door for $40.

Janet Reynolds, DRT17’s Program Chair notes, “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind has been a very popular story with the community. The book, with special editions for adult, teens and children, underscores the value of libraries as a resource to unlock creative human potential. Without his community’s lending library, William would likely never have discovered the path of innovation, invention and creative community development.”

As with all of DLIT’s events, proceeds will be used to fund upgrades in Dedham’s public and school libraries, and special programming in the libraries to support literacy and innovation. More information about the event can be found on the Dedham Library Innovation Team’s Facebook page and website DLITdedham.com.

Previous Dedham Reads Together events have culminated with hugely popular book-themed party events drawing hundreds of guests. Previous years have featured The Lincoln Letter by William Martin, The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe, Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote, The Art Forger by B.A. Shapiro, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Season of Open Water by Dawn Tripp, Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition by Daniel Okrent, and Strong Boy by Christopher Klein.

The Dedham Library Innovation Team (DLIT) is a 501(c)(3) organization committed to creating collaborative, positive partnerships between the libraries, schools, public officials, businesses, and residents in order to support the strategic vision and development of a best-in-class, vibrant public library system in Dedham. Along with the annual Dedham Reads Together program, DLIT has also been responsible for the Dedham Little Free Libraries Project, two murder-mystery night events at the Dedham Public Library, independent film screenings, a speaker series, and children's programming. In addition, DLIT has funded annual technology and book purchases and provided advocacy for both Dedham's public libraries and our school libraries. DLIT has garnered attention and recognition for its work across the Commonwealth, including the 2015 Massachusetts School Library Association Advocate Award.

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