Tag: Chautauqua Lake

Chautauqua Institution’s 2024 Summer Assembly
to Feature Judith’s Reading Room

Chautauqua Literary & Scientific Circle’s Alumni Association Extends Honor

April 15, 2024 — Chautauqua Institution’s Alumni Association of the Chautauqua Literary & Scientific Circle (CLSC) has scheduled Judith’s Reading Room as the featured presentation July 24, 2024 during Week 5 of the Summer Assembly, the theme of which is ‘Our Greatest Challenges (That We Can Actually Do Something About).’

Cathy & Scott Leiber, co-founders of Judith’s Reading Room, will focus on one of the world’s greatest challenges — promoting global literacy to eradicate illiteracy — bringing to life the mission of their nonprofit by highlighting extraordinary examples of where and how books have changed lives.  Specific examples will include the establishment of the Judith F. Krug Memorial Library at Camp Phoenix, Kabul, Afghanistan and the creation of a bi-lingual library in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  The presentation will showcase how determined individuals can actually do something about solving a seemingly unsurmountable challenge.

Judith’s Reading Room, a global nonprofit literacy organization, was founded in 2010 in the memory of Judith F. Krug, one of America’s most distinguished librarians and first cousin to the founders.  Judy served as Director for Intellectual Freedom at the American Library Association for 40 years.  She founded Banned Books Week in 1982.

The mission of Judith’s Reading Room is to ‘enrich lives and societies by proactively encouraging freedom through literacy.’  According to Cathy Leiber, co-founder, “the organization is perfectly aligned with Week 5’s theme and with the values of the CLSC as it both dedicates eponymous libraries around the world — 106 in 23 countries, and counting! — and annually awards cash prizes to global champions of literacy — teachers, authors, librarians — who have done something exemplary to instill in others a love of reading.

Chautauqua Institution, with a history steeped in the literacy arts, is home to the Chautauqua Literacy & Scientific Circle.  This year Chautauqua Institution celebrates its historic 150th anniversary.  Founded in 1878, the CLSC is America’s oldest continuous book club.  Cathy (Class of 2019) and Scott (Class of 2024) are proud members of the CLSC.

Chautauqua Institution, located on the shores of Chautauqua Lake in southwestern New York, has served as a destination for artists, educators, thinkers, and faith leaders since 1878.  The Summer Assembly features nine themed weeks during which renowned speakers and authors address the topic and encourage dialogue and critical thinking.  Meanwhile, attendees enjoy the luxury of exploring concepts, artistic expressions and religious beliefs with persons of different views under the umbrella of civil dialogue.

For more information on Judith’s Reading Room and its annual ‘Freedom Through Literacy Awards,’ visit www.judithsreadingroom.org.

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