You can sign up to read at the Benjamin Franklin Autobiography Readathon - Thursday, Jan 23 from 1:30 PM to finish

Inspired originally by the public readathon of Moby Dick, interested locals in Franklin began participating in a reading of the autobiography of the town’s namesake, Benjamin Franklin, several years ago at the library, on or near Ben’s January 17 birthday.

This year, to better coordinate with the potential availability of Dean students, the Autobiography Readathon has been moved to Thursday, January 23, starting at 1:30 PM at the Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central Street.

You can still sign up for a reading slot below or just come by to listen. 

Sign up slots are for 15 minutes but readers can do less or more...The event is Free.

Sign up listing ->    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tKQY34S4LNN32Z0_EDdyXU-n5U8AT1Td7RbIsM_6if4/edit?usp=sharing

You can sign up to read at the Benjamin Franklin Autobiography Readathon - Thursday, Jan 23 from 1:30 PM to finish

In the News: missing woman located; Ben Franklin readathon held

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Police have located Kayla Quagan, the Franklin resident who was reported missing over the weekend. 

“The subject of a well-being check has been located, and completed. Nothing further in this incident will be released,” reads a statement issued by Franklin police on Wednesday morning. 

Police asked for the public’s help locating Quagan late Sunday night, stating the 35-year-old had been reported missing by her roommate on Saturday. Quagan was last seen in person with her small dog, named Jimmy, on Friday morning, according to police."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200122/franklin-police-have-located-woman-reported-missing-over-weekend

"For the third year in a row, Franklin Public Library held a “readathon” of the entirety of Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography on Jan 16, timed to mark the 313th anniversary of Franklin’s birth. 

Dozens of readers took turns reading the often lively and amusing recollections of the American statesman, written by Franklin late in his life. Published first in French after his death, according to Wikipedia, “The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin” also became the first full-length audiobook in history -- voiced by actor Michael Rye and released in 1969. 

His donations of books to the newly formed town of Franklin, which was the first named in his honor, became the nucleus of the Franklin Public library, the oldest public library the United States. 

Among the readers contributing their time were several Dean College students, Dean president Dr. Paula Rooney, Republican State Committeewoman Patricia Saint Aubin, Democratic state Rep. Jeffrey Roy, Susan Speers from the Metacomet Land Trust, and both Lynn Calling and Laura Often from the Franklin Food Pantry.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://franklin.wickedlocal.com/news/20200121/ben-franklin-birthday-marked-with-reading-of-statesmans-autobiography

Yes, I did as well. I stumbled through pronouncing a quote in Latin (no, I did not have a class in Latin) but aside from that felt good about the reading. It was interesting to step back into Ben's time to read his words in the Library he helped inspire! https://t.co/9yccA0dd8R

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) January 17, 2020

Reminder: Ben Franklin Autobiography Readathon 2020 - Jan 16

Ben Franklin Autobiography 

Readathon 2020

Thursday, January 16, 2020 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM

In honor of the 314th birthday of Benjamin Franklin, the namesake of our town and founder of our library, the Franklin Public Library will be holding its third annual "readathon" – a marathon reading of the full text of the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin.

The book is considered a classic of American literature. According to the Library of Congress, "It was not only the first autobiography to achieve widespread popularity, but after two hundred years remains one of the most enduringly popular examples of the genre ever written."

Like other readathons, this one invites the public to participate! Readers are encouraged to sign up in advance for 15-minute segments. Commencing when the library opens at 9 AM on January 16 [the day before Ben's actual birthday], readers will share the words of Ben Franklin with anyone interested in dropping by for all or part of the event.

It is expected that the reading will be completed between 6 PM and 8PM, when the library closes. Water and other refreshments will be available for readers and audience.

To register, visit https://forms.gle/tpwzALpEb4XhzD279 .

Ben Franklin Autobiography Readathon 2020 - Jan 16

Ben Franklin Autobiography Readathon 2020 - Jan 16

Ben Franklin Autobiography 

Readathon 2020!

Thursday, January 16, 2020 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

In honor of the 314th birthday of Benjamin Franklin, the namesake of our town and founder of our library, the Franklin Public Library will be holding its third annual "readathon" – a marathon reading of the full text of the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. 

The book is considered a classic of American literature. According to the Library of Congress, "It was not only the first autobiography to achieve widespread popularity, but after two hundred years remains one of the most enduringly popular examples of the genre ever written."

Like other readathons, this one invites the public to participate! Readers are encouraged to sign up in advance for 15-minute segments. Commencing when the library opens at 9 AM on January 16 [the day before Ben's actual birthday], readers will share the words of Ben Franklin with anyone interested in dropping by for all or part of the event. 

It is expected that the reading will be completed between 6 PM and 8PM, when the library closes. Water and other refreshments will be available for readers and audience. 

To register, visit https://forms.gle/tpwzALpEb4XhzD279 .

Ben Franklin Autobiography Readathon 2020 - Jan 16