Letter To the Editor:
This year, the Greenwich community participated enthusiastically in Greenwich Reads Together (GRT), the eighth community-wide read-ing experience. Greenwich engaged in the exploration of a single book, Code Girls by Liza Mundy, a riveting story of how more than ten thousand young women were recruited by the U.S. Army and Navy from small towns and elite colleges to serve as codebreakers during World War II.
A total of 6,000 residents turned out for over 40 different events. The series included fun, code-themed activities, including the Li-brary’s first Escape Room encryption-breaking gaming experience; a fascinating historical review of other encryption tales from the 1900s; an expert panel on the challenges and creativity required by women code breakers; and film screenings, all sponsored by many town-based organizations. In-depth conversations took place in book discussion groups for all ages.
As the culminating event, author Liza Mundy visited Greenwich on November 7 for an author talk, which drew more than 275 attendees and included both a Q&A session and book signing. (If you missed it, you can listen to the podcast on our website www.greenwichreadstogether.org.) Ms. Mundy also spoke to stu-dents at Greenwich High School, inspiring our future generation of great storytellers.
In the Greenwich Public Schools, more than 4,400 students, parents, and faculty participated in Greenwich Reads Together at 12 schools across the district. Two companion books were selected, enabling younger children at the elementary and middle school level to partic-ipate as well. The student essay contest, once again sponsored by the Greenwich Rotary Club, received many submissions. Greenwich Al-liance for Education collected thousands of books donated by the community and distributed to over 300 children at the Boys and Girls Club.
This community-building program would not be possible without the generous funding provided by The Friends of the Greenwich Li-brary. I would also like to thank the Greenwich Reads Together Steering Committee which includes Greenwich Library, Greenwich Arts Council, Greenwich Historical Society, Greenwich Alliance for Education, Greenwich Pen Women, Greenwich Public and Inde-pendent Schools, Friends of Greenwich Library, Greenwich Retired Men’s Association, and Perrot Memorial Library.
But most importantly, I thank all of you in the community for join-ing us in exploring Code Girls.
Sincerely,
Barbara Ormerod-Glynn
Greenwich Library Director
