This weekend marks the fourth annual Newburyport Literary Festival, an event that has shown that the power of the written word and the appeal of a good book is still strong and vibrant in our lives.
For those who have not gone, we would urge you to go. Those who have attended are already fans and can vouch for what this event is all about. This is an event that is unique to this city and an inspiration to other communities that have tried to copy it.
The festival, organized by the unflappably determined and energetic Vicki Hendricksen and her core of volunteers, features an impressive range of events — writers forums with known authors of nearly every genre, readings, advice, discussions and social gatherings. For anyone who likes to read books, discuss books, or imagines that the Great American Novel lingers within then, this is Nirvana.
The literary festival also pays tribute annually to honorees, and this year's choices are well suited to the title. They are children's author and Newburyport native David McPhail, who has penned and illustrated nearly 200 books, and retired Newburyport librarian Dottie LaFrance.
McPhail's body of work speaks for itself. There is a generation or more of young readers whom he has inspired.
LaFrance has served as head librarian for the Newburyport Public Library for the past 30 years, capably managing the library's expansion of more than a decade ago and building it into one of the great libraries in the region.
The role of a library in our society should never be underestimated. It is a place of learning, entertainment, opportunity, inspiration and, yes, even socializing. The public library is perhaps the only place in our communities where people of all ages and background will find their niche.
LaFrance said it perfectly when she penned what work in a library means to her.
"There is nothing more rewarding than to witness a toddler's first trip to the library, followed by giving that child his first library card, assisting that student as a teen seeking out information about colleges and then seeing the return of that grown-up toddler with a family of his own. For a librarian, the ability to place the right book in the hand of the right person at the right time is the ultimate reason to celebrate. As an institution, the public library has the capacity to inform, empower and inspire readers of all ages for a lifetime."
For more information on the festival, go to the Web site, newburyportliteraryfestival.org.
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