Staff Report / Akronlocal.org

**Community Gathers in Akron for Special Screening of "The Right to Read" Documentary**

Last night, the Akron-Summit County Public Library hosted a special screening of the documentary *“The Right to Read: The Greatest Civil Rights Issue of Our Time.”* The event turned out to be a resounding success, with many community members attending to watch the important film and engage in discussions about literacy and education.

The documentary, produced by renowned actor and advocate LeVar Burton, sheds light on the challenges surrounding literacy in the United States. It follows the stories of an activist, a teacher, and two American families as they work to ensure that children gain access to the foundational skill of reading, which is widely recognized as a key to lifelong success.

This meaningful event was made possible through the partnership between the library and the Summit Education Initiative. After the screening, a panel discussion featured the following local experts in literacy and education:

- **LaMonica Davis**, Principal of Helen Arnold CLC

- **Dr. Shelley Houser**, Director of the Center for Literacy at the University of Akron

- **Dr. David James**, Executive Director of the Summit Education Initiative

- **Pam Kennedy**, Early Literacy Specialist with the State Support Team Region 8

Community members who missed the screening can still view the documentary online. *“The Right to Read”* is available for free streaming on Kanopy with a valid Akron-Summit Library card. Access the film here: [https://www.kanopy.com/en/akronlibrary/video/14531557](https://www.kanopy.com/en/akronlibrary/video/14531557).

The library expressed its gratitude to everyone who attended and participated, emphasizing the importance of addressing literacy as a critical civil rights issue.

Source: Akron-Summit Library

Source Type: Library

Source Location: Akron

Akron, OH

Akron, OH

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