March for Libraries 2025
When: March 5, 2025
Where: Church Street Park, Downtown Nashville
Event Information: https://bit.ly/3CusL4c
Support Tennessee Libraries!
The March for Libraries is a non-partisan public demonstration to celebrate and raise awareness of the vital role libraries play in our communities. Organized by the Tennessee Library Association's Intellectual Freedom, Legislative, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committees and with the full support of the Tennessee Association of School Libraries, this year's event is poised to inspire, educate, and advocate for the Right to Read and equitable access to information.
Special Guest Speakers:
We are thrilled to welcome Paul Collins of The Unbannable Library, a representative from the Tennessee Equality Project as our keynote speaker. Each speaker will share their unique insights on intellectual freedom, the fight against censorship, and the importance of inclusive libraries in fostering informed and vibrant communities.
Event Activities:
● Design Your Sign Station (9:00–10:30 AM): Collaborate with attendees to create signs supporting Tennessee libraries.
● Unbannable Library (9:00–11:00 AM): View the exhibit by local artist and Austin Peay
State University Professor, Paul Collins, was featured at the Southern Festival of Books.
● Diversity Storytime & Children's Activities (9:30–10:00 AM): A fun and inclusive storytime led by the DEI Committee, with additional activities like sidewalk chalk, bubbles, and sheets from the Imagination Library.
● Exhibits & Speakers (9:00–11:30 AM): View an inspiring display by The Unbannable Library, hear from our keynote speakers, and engage with organizations like the Tennessee Equality Project. We are also still working to gain more speakers from other organizations, so please follow us on Instagram @marchforlibraries for more details.
Event Agenda:
● 9:00–9:15 AM: Participant Arrival – Check in at registration and enter to win a DEI or Imagination Library Book Bundle.
● 9:15–9:30 AM: Welcome Address – Hosted by the March for Libraries Organizing Committee.
● 9:30–10:30 AM: Activities for All Ages:
○ Design Your Sign Station
○ Share Your Story Diversity Wall
○ Diversity Storytime & Children's Activities
● 10:45 AM: Line Up for the March – Gather at the designated starting point at Church Street Park.
● 11:00 AM: March for Libraries Parade – Join us as we parade through downtown Nashville to demonstrate our collective support for libraries and intellectual freedom.
● 11:30 AM–12:00 PM: Closing Ceremony – Celebrate the event's success with final remarks, acknowledgments, and drawings for book bundle prizes.
For more details, visit the Tennessee Library Association website: https://www.tnla.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1928168&group=
Follow us on Instagram: @marchforlibraries
Share our event on Facebook!
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Cassandra Taylor Adult Literacy
Student
Nashville Public Library
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