Book Lovers From All Over California, Actors, Authors Will Join Locals in Historic 24Hour 'ReadIn' in Effort to Stop Closing of Library System in Salinas, Birthplace of John Steinbeck: April 2.

(From AScribe)

SALINAS, Calif. -- In an effort to save Salinas, California's public library system, which is slated to shut down completely because of budget shortfalls, dozens of authors, community activists, and supporters have organized an Emergency 24-hour "Read-In" outside the Cesar Chavez Public Library in Salinas, from Saturday, April 2 at 1 p.m. to Sunday, April 3 at 1 p.m.

"We're telling people to bring their tents, sleeping bags and favorite books. We'll be here all day and all night to show our determination to keep our libraries open," says Efren Barajas of the United Farmworkers, one of the groups organizing the read-in.

Joining the read-in will be actors Hector Elizondo and Mike Farrell; poets Gary Soto and Jose Montoya; community leader Dolores Huerta; and writers Maxine Hong Kingston, Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez, Riane Eisler, James Houston, Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston, Jack Kornfield, Meredith Maran, and Wes "Scoop" Nisker, among others. In addition to the read-a-thon there will also be music, children's activities, and an overnight camp-out. On Sunday, the library supporters will participate in Salinas' annual Cesar Chavez parade.

Salinas is one of hundreds of communities throughout the United States whose libraries systems are facing ...