United for Libraries designates Emily J. Pointer Public Library a Literary Landmark in honor of Stark Young

PHILADELPHIA - United for Libraries, in partnership with Emily J. Pointer Public Library in Como., Miss., designated the library a Literary Landmark in honor of Stark Young on Thursday, March 28.

A plaque was placed on the south lawn of the library during the Stark Young tribute, which included a performance of “A Visit from Stark Young” by the North Mississippi Storytellers Guild. Karen Wilson, executive director of the Son Edna Foundation in Charleston, gave the keynote about literacy in small-town rural Mississippi. Igor Bosin read selections from Chekhov’s “The Cherry Orchard.”

In order to provide tools for what library branch manager Alice Pierotti described as “our community doing what we can to create the next Stark Young,” Como Elementary School and the library partnered to hold a series of writing and illustration workshops for first-grade students, who signed their resulting books at the dedication ceremony.

Como, Miss.-born Stark Young was a drama critic, novelist, playwright and poet. An accomplished artist and educator, often called the greatest drama critic in the history of American theatre, his creative ability found expression in fiction, translation and autobiography. “So Red the Rose,” his best known work, was adapted to film in 1935.

Emily J. Pointer Public Library is a branch of the five-county, 13-branch First Regional Library. “I’m extremely pleased the Como community can come together to get this tribute accomplished,” said First Regional Library Director Catherine Nathan. “The cultural and community leaders in Como are taking a new direction and moving creatively in the 21st century, and I’m thrilled the library can be a part of the next chapter in Como’s history.”

Partnering with United for Libraries for the dedication were Friends of Emily J. Pointer Public Library and the town of Como.

The Literary Landmark program is administered by United for Libraries. More than 120 Literary Landmarks across the United States have been dedicated since the program began in 1986. Any library or group may apply for a Literary Landmark through United for Libraries. More information is available on the United for Libraries website.

United for Libraries: The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations, is a division of the American Library Association that supports citizens who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for libraries. United for Libraries brings together library trustees, advocates, friends and foundations into a partnership that creates a powerful force for libraries in the 21st century. For more information or to join United for Libraries, visit the United for Libraries website or contact Jillian Kalonick at (312) 280-2161 or jkalonick@ala.org.

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