Amid swirling rumors and uncertainty, the Free Library of Philadelphia's Author Event series has affirmed its commitment to continue despite the sudden resignation of its staff. According to a statement from the Free Library Foundation's board chairman, fans of the Author Events can rest easy knowing the series will go on as planned, Fox29 reported. This announcement came quickly on the heels of an erroneous email circulated to the Free Library Foundation's mailing list by a departing staff member, claiming the events were canceled.
Clarifying the situation, the Free Library issued a second email and a statement on social media, addressing the resignation of their Author Events staff, including key members Andy Kahan, Jason Freeman, Laura Lovacs, and Nell Mittlestead. In the statement obtained by PhillyVoice, the library asserted, "Contrary to what has been communicated, there are no plans to cancel any scheduled events." They emphasized that the spread of misinformation had caused undue concern amongst stakeholders and the public, a point reiterated in their own channels.
The Free Library's commitment to literary engagement remains stalwart with a busy calendar, showcasing a lineup brimming with 20 scheduled events from June through the year's end. Literacy enthusiasts can look forward to continuing the tradition of attending presentations, Q&A sessions, and book signings with esteemed authors and illustrators. All upcoming dates remain as scheduled, which the public can view on the Author Events calendar, as confirmed by a reassuring post on CBS News Philadelphia.
In an effort to address the sudden gap left by the resignations, Free Library Executive Director Monique Moore Pryor stated, "While we respect their decision and thank them for their many years of dedication, we want to assure you that we are taking steps to ensure a smooth transition and the continuation of our Author events." The Free Library Author Events Facebook page assured its audience that those steps were being taken just minutes after the initial misleading email was sent, reinforcing their dedication to the program's future.
