DEDHAM READS TOGETHER 2024
MUSEUMS ALL AROUND US -
FEATURING ALL THE BEAUTY IN THE WORLD BY PATRICK BRINGLEY

Dedham Reads Together 2023
Music is History by Questlove

Dedham Reads Together 2023 elebrated contemporary music history and ways to use music in libraries and our community to bring people together!  The program was a collaborative effort by the Dedham Public Library, the Dedham public schools, and DLIT.

  • Summer of Soul Film Screening and Community Reception at the Dedham Community Theater, Wednesday, March 29th, 2023

  • Annual Celebration Gala and Fundraiser
    Saturday, May 13th, 2023: Annual DLIT Gala at First Church, Dedham

Featured Books 
Music is History by Questlove
Symphony for a Broken Orchestra by Amy Ignatow and Gwen Millward (used across district by DPS elementary schools)
The Oboe Goes Boom, Boom, Boom by Colleen AF Venable and Lian Cho (DPL book discussion
Jukebox by Nidhi Chanani (graphic novel) (DPL book discussion)
First Rule of Punk by Celia Perez 
Suncatcher by Jose Pimienta (graphic novel)
Let Me Hear a Rhyme by Tiffany Jackson

Dedham Reads Together 2022
A Book Feast in Dedham: Bridging Cultures and Building Community with the Common Language of Food.

Black, White, and the Grey by Mashama Bailey and John O. Morisano (adult non-fiction)
Taste Makers: Seven Immigrant Women Who Revolutionized Food in America by Mayukh Sen (adult non-fiction)
Relish by Lucy Knisley (adult graphic novel)
With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo (young adult fiction)
Notes from a Young Black Chef by Kwame Onwuachi (young adult non-fiction)
Bloom by Kevin Panetta and Savanna Ganucheau (young adult graphic novel)
A Place at the Table by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan (middle-grade fiction)
Measuring Up by Lily LaMotte and Ann Xu (middle-grade graphic novel)
Pie in the Sky by Remy Lai (middle-grade graphic novel)
Every Night is Pizza Night by J. Kenji Lopez-Alt (picture book)
Hot Pot Night! by Vincent Chen (picture book)
Delicious! Poems Celebrating Street Food Around the World by Julie Larios (picture book).    

Smack Dab 3

Our third annual Smack Dab in the Middle Author Fest was held virtually in may, 2020. Participating authors: Kate Allen, Abby Cooper, Erin Dionne, Rajani LaRocca, Jarrett Lerner, Janae Marks, Gregory Mone, Claribel Ortega, Ammi-Joan Paquette, Elly Swartz, Elinor Teele, and Padma Venkatramen. This program was supported in part by a grant from the Dedham Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

One Book Dedham 2020

Dedham Human Rights Commission and the Dedham Public Library present a community-wide program for all ages to improve education, compassion and strategies for living with depression and anxiety. Supported by DLIT and Friends of the Dedham Library.

Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig (adult book)
Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram (YA/teen book)
The Science of Breakable Things by Tae Keller (middle-grade)
Guts by Raina Telgemeier (middle-grade)
Isaac’s Story by Leigh Hallisey (elementary)
I am Human by Susan Verde (elementary)
I am Love by Susan Verde (elementary)

  • Me/2 Boston Flute Choir Concert
    Dedham Public Library, Feb. 12, sponsored by DLIT; Me2/Orchestra is the world’s only classical music organization created for individuals with mental illnesses and the people who support them. Enjoy various works for flute ensemble, brief mental health testimonies, and a Q&A with the musicians. 

  • Mental Health Panel Discussion
    Endicott Estate, March 5, 7 p.m., sponsored by DLIT

Dedham Reads 2019
How to be a Good Creature by Sy Montgomeryalong with other books by Sy Montgomery for adults and children.

Photography Contest: “The Good Creatures in Your Life,”, sponsored by Friends of the Library and Dedham Artists Guild.
Earthwatch Program on the Work of Sy Montgomery: Sunday, March 10, 3 p.m.
Community Book Discussion: Thursday, March 14, 7 p.m.
Gala Event: PARTY ANIMALS! Friday, April 12, 7-10 p.m., Endicott Branch Library

2nd Annual Smack Dab in the Middle Author Festival
Saturday, March 23, 2019

Our second annual Smack Dab in the Middle Author Fest was held on Saturday, March 23 from 1-4 p.m. at the Dedham Public Library. Authors participated in 3 consecutive panel discussions, followed by a book sale and book signing. The event was free and open to the public. Participating authors: Tracey Baptiste, Rebecca Caprara, Bridget Hodder, Sarah Jean Horwitz, Hena Khan, Cynthia Lord, Susan Lubner, Anna Meriano, Mark Parisi, Jen Petro-Roy, Luke Reynolds, Anna Staniszewski, Susan Tan, and Monica Tesler. Sponsored by Dedham Library Innovation Team, The Blue Bunny Bookstore and the Dedham Public Library. Refreshments provided by Roche Bros. Supermarkets. This program was supported in part by a grant from the Dedham Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

3rd annual Book it 5k
To support the dedham public library

The 3rd annual Book It 5K race was held on Saturday, August 18th, 2018, at 10 a.m. at the Main Library, co-hosted by the Dedham Library Innovation Team to support the library. The race is a fun family-friendly activity for the entire community to raise awareness for the town library system and the many resources it provides, and is the centerpiece of a busy community day at the library.  Thanks to our sponsors Wegmans Westwood, J. P. Licks and Roche Brothers Supermarkets, and to all those who came out to run, volunteer and support the Dedham Public Library with this event!

Dedham REads 2018!

Thanks to our supporters, especially those who attended "A Night in Havana" finale event - Friday, April 13, 2018
at the Endicott Branch Library in Dedham

SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE - DEDHAM'S MIDDLE-GRADE AUTHOR FESTIVAL
Saturday, March 3, 2018 at the Dedham Public Library

Participating authors: Victoria Coe, Marykate Connolly, Bridget Hodder, Kara LaReau, Jarrett Lerner, Lee Gjertsen Malone, Ammi-Joan Paquette, Erin Petti, Katie Slivensky, Anna Staniszewski, Tui Sutherland, Susan Tan, Monica Tesler and Rob Vlock

2nd annual Book it 5k
To support the dedham public library

The 2nd annual Book It 5K race was held on Saturday, August 19th, 2017, at 10 a.m. at the Main Library, co-hosted by the Dedham Library Innovation Team to support the library. Once again, the lead sponsor for the event was Dedham Savings. The race was a fun family-friendly activity for the entire community to raise awareness for the town library system and the many resources it provides, and was the centerpiece of a busy community day at the library.  In addition to the 5K run that morning, the main library was open for patrons and other community members to visit, borrow from its collections, and view recent renovations to the facility.  In addition, Creature Teachers presented a live animal education program for all ages outside on the library lawn.