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Where the Page Turner Story Begins

On April 5th, 2023, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) visited Randolph to celebrate the $524,000 in federal funding she secured for Turner Free Library to support the acquisition and equipping of a bookmobile. At the event, Rep. Pressley was joined by Randolph Town Manager Brian Howard, Randolph Director of Library, Recreation, and Community Programs Elizabeth LaRosee, Turner Free Library Director Sharon Parrington Wright, Superintendent of Randolph Public Schools Thea Stovell, Randolph Public Schools students, and community leaders and members.

“Students deserve a fair and equitable learning environment, and I am proud to celebrate these federal resources that represent a crucial step towards achieving just that,” said Rep. Pressley. “This funding is a direct investment in our young people, our families, and our communities. Thank you to the Turner Free Library, Randolph leaders, and community members for their partnership and advocacy on behalf of our students.”

“The Town of Randolph is excited for this amazing opportunity to expand outreach and literacy initiatives through Congresswoman Pressley’s FY23 Community Project Funding,” said Brian Howard, Randolph Town Manager. “We are grateful to Congresswoman Pressley for her continued advocacy for the Town of Randolph and its many residents.”

“The Turner Free Library has always been a leading example of outreach and equity in the Town of Randolph through innovative and inclusive programming and services. We are excited to facilitate this collaborative outreach to increase literacy rates in our community,” said Elizabeth LaRosee, Randolph Director of Library, Recreation, and Community Program. “The upcoming Library Bookmobile will bring books, technology, and innovation to all corners of Randolph.”

“We are so grateful for this opportunity to take our early literacy initiatives outside the library’s walls and directly to Randolph’s students! Research has shown that reading to children increases their language acquisition and improves their literacy skills, all of which has long term ramifications for our students,” Sharon Parrington-Wright, Turner Free Library Director. “One in six children who are not reading proficiently in the third grade will not graduate on time from high school, affecting their long-term academic and economic success. The Mobile Services Project will allow us to provide free and equitable access to library resources and staff for more than 2,000 Randolph Public School students.”

“We are very excited for the opportunity to partner with the Turner Free Library and Congresswoman Pressley’s office to bring even more literacy initiatives to our students,” said Thea Stovell, Randolph Public Schools Superintendent. “The Randolph Public Schools are committed to bringing literacy and STEM to the forefront of our learning environment through this innovative collaboration.”