Little Read 2012 To Feature Big Names

The Montclair Public Library Foundation is pleased to present The Little Read 2012, a children’s read-aloud marathon that will bring together Montclair citizens in a town-wide celebration of literacy and community. Now in its fourth year, the event will take place on October 19 and 20 at the Main Library at 50 South Fullerton Avenue, the Bellevue Avenue Branch Library at 185 Bellevue Avenue, and also at the Montclair Art Museum.

The Little Read will kick-off on Friday evening, October 19 at the Main Library with bedtime stories featuring actor Frankie Faison. Faison has appeared in dozens of TV and film roles, including the Hannibal Lecter series and HBO’s “The Wire” as well as in several plays on Broadway.  The evening will also include readings from Mayor Robert Jackson and Library Director David Hinkley, as well as a milk-and-cookies reception. 

The Little Read will continue through Saturday, October 20 with Montclair’s own Stephen Colbert. Colbert will kick off the morning at the Main Library, followed by dozens of volunteers throughout the day.  Readings will also take place at the Bellevue Avenue Branch Library and the Montclair Art Museum.

“We’re thrilled to have such an exciting line-up of readers, and look forward to other members of the community stepping up to fill the remaining time slots,” said Jennifer L. Friedberg, The Little Read Chair for the second year running and newly elected member of the MPL Foundation Board. “I think for many families, the Library’s annual Little Read has become one of fall’s must-attend events. The chance to see friends and neighbors sitting in the Library’s 'Big Red Chair' makes those days even more special.”

For more information about The Little Read 2012, please visit the MPL Foundation Web site at www.montclairplf.org, where you can also request to be added to an e-mail list to receive updates. Reader sign-ups will begin in late-September. Updates to the schedule will also be posted on the MPL Foundation’s Facebook page.

While the event itself is free to the public, all donations to The Little Read 2012 will benefit the Children’s Department of the Montclair Public Library. In 2011, the Children’s Department presented 220 programs for children 12 and younger and 4 programs for teens 13-18 years of age; over 9,800 children attended these programs. The popular Summer Reading Club boasted 975 registrants who read a total of 17,300 books in 2012.

The Montclair Public Library Foundation’s “The Little Read 2012”

Friday, October 19

The Montclair Public Library

50 South Fullerton Avenue

7:00-8:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 20

The Montclair Public Library

50 South Fullerton Avenue

10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

The Bellevue Avenue Branch Library

185 Bellevue Avenue

1:00-3:00 p.m.

The Montclair Art Museum

3 South Mountain Avenue

1:00-2:00 p.m.