Last year, Pressley secured $524,000 to create a new mobile library and support STEM programming
In Congress, Pressley has led the charge against book bans and promoted culturally relevant learning in elementary schools
Video (YouTube) | Photo (Dropbox)
RANDOLPH – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) visited Randolph to cut the ribbon for the Turner Free Mobile Library, which was made possible after she provided $524,000 in federal funding for the new library and STEM programming. The new mobile library, also known as the “Page Turner” bookmobile, provides books, movies, Wi-Fi and other resources to students, seniors and other residents in the Randolph community. In Congress, Representative Pressley has led the charge against book bans and championed policies that promote culturally relevant learning in K-12 schools.
Congressman Pressley was joined at the ribbon cutting by Randolph Town Manager Brian Howard, Randolph Public Schools Superintendent Thea Stovell, Turner Free Library Director Sharon Parrington-Wright, and Randolph students, librarians and town officials.
“When we say books save lives, we mean it. The Turner Free Mobile Library will support students who do not have access to high-speed internet at home, provide books and resources to students of all ages in Randolph, and focus on increasing critical literacy rates and critical thinking.” said Rep. Pressley. “Thank you to teachers, librarians, legislators and students for joining us in building strong learning communities and fostering a love of learning for all ages. As book bans increase in Massachusetts and across the country, I am proud to have provided federal funding to make this effort a reality and help Randolph residents access the educational resources they deserve.
“The arrival of the Turner Free Library bookmobile is a proud moment for the City of Randolph as it reflects our commitment to expanding opportunities for learning and community connection, said Randolph Town manager Brian Howard. “This innovative resource will serve as a bridge, bringing essential library services directly to our residents and enriching the lives of everyone who touches them. We are grateful for Congressman Pressley’s tremendous support and look forward to seeing how this mobile library will strengthen Randolph’s commitment to literacy, education and accessibility for all.”
“The Turner Free Library bookmobile is the latest in our years-long effort to break down barriers and make library services accessible to all members of the Randolph community,” said Sharon Parrington-Wright, director of the Turner Free Library. “We’re excited to use the Bookmobile to support literacy, equitable access to information and lifelong learning by bringing library services beyond the library walls and into our community – wherever and whenever they are!”
“I am so excited about the new bookmobile and its potential impact on Randolph Public Schools. This transformative resource is a game-changer that is not only a mobile library, but also a catalyst to bring the joy of reading directly to students and foster a vibrant literacy community.” said Thea Stovell, superintendent of Randolph Public Schools. “By increasing access to diverse literature and creating engaging learning opportunities, The Page Turner creates dynamic learning experiences that inspire a lifelong love of reading and foster a strong sense of community.”
Footage from the event can be found here, and photos can be found here.
In Congress, Representative Pressley unveiled the Books save lives law to help ensure an inclusive learning environment and counter the harms of book bans across the country.
Representative Pressley secured federal funding for Turner Free Library in the government spending package passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden in December 2022. Representative Pressley secured millions for 15 community projects in Massachusetts’ 7th Congressional District at this major convention center. appropriations bill, ending nearly a year of advocacy by Rep. Pressley and local leaders were shut down.
In April 2023, Representative Pressley visited Randolph to celebrate the $524,000 in federal funding she secured for Turner Free Library to support a mobile library and STEM programming. Representative Pressley held a roundtable discussion and press conference on how the project will serve elementary and middle school students in Randolph Public Schools who do not have regular access to school librarians or library services. In August 2022, Representative Pressley delivered $275,000 in federal community project funding for culturally responsive and digital literacy tools for Randolph Public Schools.
In October 2023, during Banned Books Week, Representative Pressley visited the Turner Free Library in Randolph to discuss the growing threat of book bans across the country and the need for accessible, representative literature. Representative Pressley was joined at the roundtable by librarians, educators and community members from Randolph and Milton.
- On October 10, 2024, Representative Pressley joined Just A Start, elected officials and advocates, and community members for the formal ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil the Economic Mobility Hub at Rindge Commons, a 70,000-square-foot facility designed to meet evolving needs of the community.
- On June 18, 2024, Representative Pressley visited Boston Medical Center (BMC) to celebrate $370,000 in federal Community Project funding she secured in support of BMC’s Violence Intervention Advocacy Program.
- On June 18, 2024, Rep. Pressley the Chelsea HealthCare Center to celebrate $1,150,000 in federal Community Project funding she secured to support Massachusetts General Hospital’s (MGH) efforts to address the shortage of bilingual, culturally diverse immigrant and limited English mental health providers . skills communities.
- On April 22, 2204, Representative Pressley and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) visited Nubian Square in Roxbury for a roundtable discussion to celebrate the $1,000,000 million in federal funding they secured for the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts (BECMA).
- On March 28, 2024, Representative Pressley visited Roxbury to celebrate the $1,000,000 in federal funding she secured to provide emergency family shelter for families experiencing homelessness in the city of Boston.
- In February 2024, Representative Pressley visited Chelsea City Hall for a roundtable and press conference to celebrate the $750,000 in federal funding she secured for the Island End River Coastal Flood Resilience Project from the City of Chelsea and the City of Everett.
- In January 2024, Representative Pressley visited Somerville to celebrate the $2.4 million in federal funding she secured to support the community-led transformation of the Clarendon Hill residential community, an ethnically, linguistically and economically diverse neighborhood.
- In December 2023, Rep. Pressley Brighton to celebrate the $400,000 she provided for Amplify Latinx’s ALX Small Business Program.
- In November 2023, Rep. Pressley Roxbury Community College (RCC) to celebrate $1 million in federal community project funding it secured for Northeastern University’s Roxbury Associate’s to Master’s Workforce Accelerator (RA2MWA).
- In June 2023, Representative Pressley visited Chelsea to celebrate $2,000,000 in federal community project funding she secured to improve the Broadway Corridor – home to an array of BIPOC-owned small businesses, vibrant public spaces, high-frequency public transport routes and dense residential areas. .
- In April 2023, Rep. Pressley Randolph to celebrate the $524,000 she raised for Randolph Public Schools to support a mobile library and STEM programming.
- In March 2023, Representative Pressley visited Dorchester to celebrate $250,000 in new community project funding she secured for the Big Sister Association of Greater Boston’s one-on-one mentoring and enrichment programs for girls.
- In February 2023, Representative Pressley visited African Community Economic Development of New England (ACEDONE) to celebrate the $643,003 in community project funding she secured for ACEDONE to support small businesses in predominantly Black, Brown and African immigrant communities.
- In October 2022, Representative Pressley visited the Dimock Center in Roxbury to celebrate $1 million in federal Community Project funding she secured to support substance use treatment and programming at the health center.
- In August 2022, Representative Pressley visited Randolph to provide $275,000 in federal community project funding for culturally responsive and digital literacy resources for Randolph Public Schools.
- In June 2022, Representative Pressley visited the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology to provide $300,000 in direct federal funding to develop a Clean Energy Building Automation Systems certificate and associate degree program.
- In May 2022, she visited Bunker Hill Community College to celebrate the $1,000,000 in federal Community Project funding she secured to expand the City of Boston’s Tuition-Free Community College program.
- In April 2022, she visited Randolph to provide $1,000,000 in federal Community Project funding for a new school-based community health center at Randolph High School.
- In March 2022, she visited La Colaborativa in Chelsea to celebrate the $300,000 in federal community project funding she provided for La Colaborativa’s COVID Employment Recovery Program.
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