PRESS RELEASE

#ReadAcrossSC April 19th-23, 2023:

A series of events is planned throughout the state in response to the alarming rise of book and curriculum challenges in South Carolina. Since most of the books receiving challenges are those of marginalized groups, writers, librarians, and educators hopeto celebrate these books and educate the community about what they can do to ensure that our curiosity, intellectual freedom, and reading life is as rich and powerful as possible!

These  events will be held in conjunction with many other Read Across South Carolina events happening at bookstores and libraries across the state in late April, including the event that inspired it all, Read-In 2023 at the South Carolina State House on April 20th. Located at the SC Statehouse, Read-In is SC’s premier Children’s Reading Event, is sponsored by the South Carolina State Library and the South Carolina Association of School Librarians. 

 

CHARLESTON: A Read Across South Carolina Event Celebrating our Favorite Banned Books!

Wednesday, April 19 5:00-7:00 PM

Buxton Books, 160 King Street, Charleston, SC 29401

Reading of banned books by local writers, celebrities, public figures, teachers, and students. 

Contacts: Marissa Luckie, marissa@buxtonbooks.com

COLUMBIA: 

Thursday, April 20 5-7 PM

Happy Hour at All Good Books, 734 Harden St, Columbia, SC 

5-6 PM:  USC students who will read aloud from banned picture books in the bookstore’s children’s area

6-7 PM:   Reading of banned books by local writers, celebrities, and public figures. 
Contacts: Valerie Byrd Fort, valeriebyrdfort@gmail.com, Cassie Premo Steele, cassiepremosteele@gmail.com

FLORENCE: 

Sunday April 23rd from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the amphitheater on the lawn of the Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center in downtown Florence.

Readers will include members of the Francis Marion University and general Florence-area communities.

1:00-1:30 PM Readings from books written for young children.

1:30-2:00 PM Readings from young adult novels. 

2:00-3:00 PM Readings of books aimed at older audiences, including books that have stirred controversy when taught in high schools and on college campuses. 

Contact: Jo Angela Edwins, jedwins@fmarion.edu, 843-661-1499 

 

HILTON HEAD: 

Friday April 21, 1-3 PM, The Island Bookshelf@ Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cover Ln, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928. 

Island Writers’ Network members reading poetry and passages. 

and

Friday April 21 4:00-6:00, Barnes & Noble, Indigo Run, 20 Hatton Place Suite 200, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926

Contact: Elizabeth Robin, elizabethrobin.writer@gmail.com

 

ORANGEBURG:

Thursday April 20, 9:30-10:30 A.M. Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, Orangeburg, SC. In the courtyard between C, D, E, and F buildings, Tamara Miles and her RWR 032 class will be reading from a book that was banned (and then restored through the efforts of the National Coalition Against Censorship): Invisible Man, by Ralph Ellison. We invite all students, faculty, and staff to participate in our reading or to come and listen!

Questions can be directed to milests@octech.brightspace.com

 

ROCK HILL:

Thursday April 20 6:0 PM at the Ida Jane Dacus Library,Winthrop University, 824 Oakland Ave. Rock Hill, SC. Professors, students, and local poets will read excerpts from banned books or work about the impact of banning books. 

Contact:  Angelo Jeter, angelojeter@gmail.com, 757-870-2497

 

For further information, please contact Marjory Wentworth, 843-693-5191, marjorythw@gmail.com