Reading Room
Library of Al-Qarawiyyin
Fes, Morocco
Founded as a mosque 12 centuries ago by Fatima al Fahiri, a Tunisian immigrant who envisioned it as a center of religion, education, and community, Al-Qarawiyyin University boasts perhaps the world's oldest library, recently restored by Moroccan engineer and architect Aziza Chaouni. When she was a child growing up in Fes, Chaouni had never known the library existed; it was all carefully guarded, decaying behind closed doors. Ms. Chaouni believed that the library ought to be enjoyed by the people of the city and only accepted the restoration project on condition that Al-Qarawiyyin’s library would again be accessible to everyone (not just researchers and tourists). The renovated library with solar panels, a lab for digitizing the texts, and a café for the general public opened in December of 2016.

Celebrate Pride Month by reading a book! All of these books are available to be checked out at the Library.

The Office of the State Historian keeps a calendar of significant events that happened "Today in Connecticut History."  Yesterday's post featured Norfolk and the world premiere of Henry Hadley's Connecticut Symphony on June 2, 1935. Commissioned by Ellen Battell Stoeckel to commemorate the 300th anniversary of Connecticut's founding, the performance drew some 1500 people to the Music Shed (pictured below). You can find out more here, and history buffs can subscribe to the daily MCUs (Morning Coffee Updates).\

On Juneteenth: A Book Discussion
Monday, June 20, 7:00 p.m.

In celebration of Juneteenth this year, the Norfolk Library invites you to attend a book discussion of On Juneteenth by Annette Gordon-Reed at the Library. A New York Times Best Book of 2021, it provides the sweeping story of Juneteenth’s integral importance to American history, as told by a Pulitzer Prize–winning historian and Texas native. June 19 is now officially Juneteenth National Independence Day, a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. In the Library's continuing commitment to social justice equity, copies of the book will be freely given to anyone who would like to participate in the discussion. Please register here or by calling 860-542-5075 ext. 2 and come by to pick up your book.

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