Last Year, Pressley Secured $524K to Create New Mobile Library and Support STEM Programming

In Congress, Pressley Has Led Charge Against Book Bans and Promoted Culturally Relevant Learning in K-12 Schools

Video (YouTube) | Photo (Dropbox)

RANDOLPH – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) visited Randolph for a ribbon cutting for the Turner Free Mobile Library, which was made possible after she delivered $524,000 in federal funding for the new library and STEM programming. The new mobile library, also known as the “Page Turner” bookmobile, carries books, movies, Wi-Fi, and other resources to students, elders, and other residents across the Randolph community. In Congress, Rep. Pressley has led the charge against book bans and has championed policies that promote culturally relevant learning in K-12 schools.

Congresswoman 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 city officials.

“When we say books save lives, we mean that. The Turner Free Mobile Library will support students without access to high-speed internet at home, bring books and resources to learners of every age in Randolph, and focus on increasing critical literacy rates and critical thinking,” said Rep. Pressley. “Thank you to the educators, librarians, legislators, and students for being part of building strong learning communities and fostering a love of learning for all ages. With book bans on the rise in Massachusetts and across the country, I am proud to have delivered federal funding to make this effort a reality and help Randolph residents access the learning resources they deserve.”

“The arrival of the Turner Free Library’s bookmobile is a proud moment for the Town of Randolph, as it reflects our commitment to expanding opportunities for learning and community connection, said Brian Howard, Randolph Town Manager. “This innovative resource will serve as a bridge, bringing essential library services directly to our residents and enriching the lives of all who engage with it. We are grateful for Congresswoman Pressley’s tremendous support and excited to see how this mobile library will strengthen Randolph’s dedication to literacy, education, and accessibility for everyone.”

“The Turner Free Library’s bookmobile is the latest in our long-standing efforts to reduce barriers and make library services accessible to all members of the Randolph community,” said Sharon Parrington-Wright, Turner Free Library Director. “We’re excited to use the bookmobile to support literacy, equitable access to information, and lifelong learning by bringing library services outside of the library’s walls and into our community—when and where they are!”

“I’m so enthusiastic 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 for bringing the joy of reading directly to students and fostering a vibrant community of literacy,” said Thea Stovell, Randolph Public Schools Superintendent. “By enhancing 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 of the event can be found here, and photos are here.

In Congress, Rep. Pressley unveiled the Books Save Lives Act to help ensure an inclusive learning environment and counteract the harm of book bans across the country.

Rep. Pressley secured the federal funding for Turner Free Library in the government spending package that passed Congress and was signed into law by President Biden in December 2022. Rep. Pressley secured millions for 15 community projects across the Massachusetts 7th Congressional District in this major Congressional appropriations bill, capping off nearly a year of advocacy by Rep. Pressley and local leaders.

In April, 2023, Rep. 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. Rep. Pressley held a roundtable discussion and press conference on how the project will serve elementary and middle school students across Randolph Public Schools who lack regular access to school librarians or library services. In August 2022, Rep. Pressley delivered $275,000 in federal community project funding for culturally responsive resources and digital literacy tools for Randolph Public Schools.

In October 2023, during Banned Books Week, Rep. 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. Rep. Pressley was joined at the roundtable by librarians, educators, and community members from Randolph and Milton.

• On October 10, 2024, Rep. Pressley joined Just A Start, elected officials and community advocates and members for the formal ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil the Economic Mobility Hub at Rindge Commons, a 70,000-square-foot facility designed to address the evolving needs of the community.
• On June 18, 2024, Rep. Pressley visited Boston Medical Center (BMC) to celebrate $370,000 in federal community project funding she secured to support BMC’s Violence Intervention Advocacy Program. 
• On June 18, 2024, Rep. Pressley visited 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 statewide shortage of bilingual, culturally diverse mental health providers for immigrant and limited English proficiency communities.
• On April 22, 2204, Rep. 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, Rep. Pressley visited Roxbury to celebrate the $1,000,000 in federal funding she secured to provide emergency childcare support for families experiencing homelessness in the City of Boston.
• In February 2024, Rep. Pressley visited Chelsea City Hall for a roundtable and press conference to celebrate the $750,000 in federal funding she secured for the City of Chelsea’s and City of Everett’s Island End River Coastal Flood Resilience Project.
• In January 2024, Rep. Pressley visited Somerville to celebrate the $2.4 million in federal funding she secured to support the community-led transformation of the Clarendon Hill housing community, an ethnically, linguistically and economically diverse neighborhood.
• In December 2023, Rep. Pressley visited Brighton to celebrate $400,000 she delivered for Amplify Latinx’s ALX Small Business Program.
• In November 2023, Rep. Pressley visited Roxbury Community College (RCC) to celebrate $1 million in federal community project funding she secured for Northeastern University’s Roxbury Associate’s to Master’s Workforce Accelerator (RA2MWA).
• In June 2023, Rep. 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 transit routes, and dense residential housing.
• In April 2023, Rep. Pressley visited Randolph to celebrate $524,000 she secured for Randolph Public Schools to support a mobile library and STEM programming.
• In March 2023, Rep. Pressley visited Dorchester to celebrate $250,000 in new Community Project Funding she secured for Big Sister Association of Greater Boston’s one-to-one mentoring and enrichment programs for girls.
• In February 2023, Rep. Pressley visited the 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 predominately Black, brown and African immigrant communities.
• In October 2022, Rep. 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, Rep. Pressley visited Randolph to deliver $275,000 in federal community project funding for culturally responsive resources and digital literacy tools for Randolph Public Schools.
• In June 2022, Rep. Pressley visited the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology to deliver $300,000 in direct federal funding for the development of 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 deliver $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 that she delivered for La Colaborativa’s COVID Employment Recovery Program.

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