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David McCord Children's Literature Festival
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For twenty years, 1986-2005, the Curriculum Library, with the Nobscot Reading Council, Inc. of the International Reading Association, sponsored the David McCord Children’s Literature Festival in honor of poet David McCord, former visiting professor and long time friend of Framingham State College. Early in the 1970’s, Mary Burns, Coordinator of the Curriculum Library and member of the faculty at Framingham State College, met David McCord at a meeting of the Massachusetts Reading Association. Encouraged by his gracious manner and stories of his visits to schools, she invited him to be a guest lecturer for her children’s literature class. He accepted. The students were enthralled! But at the time, no one realized that it was the beginning of a long and happy association. By 1972, the program had expanded to include a celebration of his birthday in mid-November, complete with a cake and an autographing party. Donna Larivee, a Framingham State alumna, brought elementary students to the affair; those who had heard him in earlier years joined the current class; Dr. McCarthy, President of the College, willingly presided at the festivities. And in the late seventies, Mary Pat Craig, now a member of the Curriculum Library staff, became one of the mainstays in organizing what had become an annual event. By this time, David was a familiar and welcome sight on campus; he not only appeared in November he also served as a visiting professor for an entire spring semester! In 1975, Framingham State College awarded him an honorary degree. It was David who first suggested establishing a College trust fund to support other children’s literature programs. Over the years, that fund, begun with the sale of his books, attracted other donors, including a substantial sum from one of his friends and monies realized from an international children’s literature conference held on the campus of Framingham State College in 1978 at which David was a featured speaker. As the years passed and the seventies became the eighties, as more people became involved in celebrating David’s poetry, it was clear that a more permanent recognition of his unique contribution should be made. Donna Larivee and Mary Burns had frequently discussed a festival to promote children’s books and literacy. It seemed like an impossible dream. Then, in 1984, they were joined by Joan Claflin and Mary Pat Craig who were also enthusiasts. The idea evolved into an annual festival, named in David’s honor, at which a children’s author or illustrator would give a presentation on his or her work to teachers, students, and librarians so that they in turn could share this in their classrooms. The original program was expanded to include an award ceremony during which the guest speaker would receive a framed citation, an honorarium, and an engraved Jefferson cup. The speaker, selected each year by the award committee with input from the attendees and others, is honored for a body of work which has made significant contribution to excellence in literature for children. The dream came closer to realization when Framingham State College and the Nobscot Reading Council, Inc. agreed to cosponsor the Festival. The College generously offered to host the event; the Nobscot Council volunteered assistance on the day of the festival. In November, 1986, the first annual David McCord Children’s Literature Festival was held. The dream was a reality! The twentieth and final David McCord Children’s Literature Festival was held on November 3, 2005 at Framingham State College.
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| Henry Whittemore Library | Framingham State College | 100 State Street PO Box 9101 | Framingham, MA 01701-9101 | 508-626-4651 |