Link to Libraries Brings Award Winning Illustrator Gordon C. James to Liberty Elementary

March 27, 2024

SPRINGFIELD, MA – Tuesday, March 26, 2024 – On Thursday, March 21, 2024, Link to Libraries brought award winning, New York Times bestselling children’s book illustrator Gordon C. James to speak to students at Liberty Elementary School in Springfield. This visit was made possible through a generous grant from Link to Libraries supporters Kathleen and James Pittman of Longmeadow.


In addition to sharing stories about his life as an artist and children’s book illustrator, James also read from his Caldecott and Coretta Scott King honor award winning book Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut. A highlight of his presentation also included working with students to design and illustrate an imaginary book cover, using students as models and their ideas as inspiration. Link to Libraries donated a signed copy of Crown to every student at Liberty Elementary.


One young student named Lilliana was so inspired by the visit that, upon returning to her classroom, she immediately drew her own children’s book cover and story. Lilliana proudly shared her work with Mr. James before he left the school.


“There is no better way to bring books to life for children than to introduce them to the authors and illustrators who created them,” said Laurie Flynn, President & Chief Executive Officer of Link to Libraries. “We are so grateful to the Pittman family for making this extraordinary day possible. Two hundred and twenty students were captivated by Gordon James’ presentation. You could literally see their eyes light up with excitement and inspiration. That is exactly how we create young readers.”


Sponsor Kathleen Pittman added, “We have been so impressed with Link to Libraries’ impact inspiring young people to love reading, providing needed books to take home, and introducing guest readers from diverse careers to spark dreams of a bright future. We are excited for the exceptionally talented Gordon James to inspire budding artists in Springfield!”


"Our visit from Mr. James was an exciting event that sparked a sense of creativity in our elementary students, showing them firsthand the impact of storytelling through art,” said Kelly


Wallace, Principal of Liberty Elementary. “It was a special opportunity for our students to see the endless possibilities that are associated with the creation of books. The experience was rewarding for everyone who was able to attend and we are truly grateful to have participated in such a remarkable event.”

Share:

Recent Posts

Western Mass News Visits Link to Libraries

April 16, 2026
Western Mass News visits Link to Libraries and helps label hundreds of books for children in need.

Link to Libraries Raises Nearly $30,000 at Celebrity Bartender Event

By Amy Anderlonis • April 14, 2026
SPRINGFIELD, MA – On Thursday, April 9th, Link to Libraries hosted its second Celebrity Bartending event at The Student Prince and Fort in Springfield, raising a record breaking $29,000.00 in support of their mission to increase underserved children’s access to books at school and at home. These funds will enable Link to Libraries to purchase more than 7,000 new books for children and schools in need across Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut. “We were absolutely blown away by how the Western Massachusetts community showed up in support of children in need at this event. It was a packed house from start to finish,” said Laurie Flynn, President & Chief Executive Officer of Link to Libraries. “We are so incredibly grateful to our amazing team of bartenders who raised record funds and brought in over 200 independent donors. It was wonderful to be able to come together as a community and to celebrate this important work. It takes a village, and our village showed up in spades!” In addition to tips for the bartenders, Link to Libraries also raised funds through the sale tickets of raffle items generously donated by MGM Springfield, Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Max Restaurant Group, Callaway Golf, and The Student Prince and Fort. Michelle Abdow and Sue Spiry from Market Mentors along with Janine and Jay Queenin of Specialty Bolt and Screw raised close to $13,000. The race was too close to call, so on behalf of each of the winning teams, Link to Libraries will donate 100 new books to both Springfield’s Hiram Dorman and Mary Pottenger elementary schools. Both Market Mentors and Specialty Bolt & Screw generously sponsor those schools through Link to Libraries’ Community Book Link Sponsorship Program. Other bartenders included: Crystal Neuhauser (UMass Amherst Foundation); Jennifer McGrath (MGM Springfield); Nikki Burnett and Amy Stec (Educare Springfield); Ryan McCollum (RMC Strategies); Kristin Fitzpatrick (William Raveis Realty); Juan LaTorre III (Verizon); Kathy Martin (Glenmeadow); Andrea Hicks-Martin (Elms College); and Michelle and Ben Sullivan (Balise Auto Group). Tim Cullinan of The New System provided music for the event, and Chris Marion of Chris Marion Photography captured the evening in photos. Both generously donated their time and services. About Link to Libraries Link to Libraries is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to distribute new books to school and home libraries in need. By increasing a child’s access to books, Link to Libraries strives to enhance the language and literacy skills of children of all cultural backgrounds. To date, Link to Libraries has donated over one million new books and sponsors 70 schools in need throughout Western Massachusetts, Northern Connecticut and Boston.

Link to Libraries Expands to Boston

February 26, 2026
"Link to Libraries" coming to Boston after donating over 1 million books to kids in need Laurie Flynn of Link to Libraries talks about the organization's efforts to get books into the hands of children. View WBZ News CBS Boston story below.
Show More

Western Mass News Visits Link to Libraries

April 16, 2026
Western Mass News visits Link to Libraries and helps label hundreds of books for children in need.

Link to Libraries Raises Nearly $30,000 at Celebrity Bartender Event

By Amy Anderlonis • April 14, 2026
SPRINGFIELD, MA – On Thursday, April 9th, Link to Libraries hosted its second Celebrity Bartending event at The Student Prince and Fort in Springfield, raising a record breaking $29,000.00 in support of their mission to increase underserved children’s access to books at school and at home. These funds will enable Link to Libraries to purchase more than 7,000 new books for children and schools in need across Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut. “We were absolutely blown away by how the Western Massachusetts community showed up in support of children in need at this event. It was a packed house from start to finish,” said Laurie Flynn, President & Chief Executive Officer of Link to Libraries. “We are so incredibly grateful to our amazing team of bartenders who raised record funds and brought in over 200 independent donors. It was wonderful to be able to come together as a community and to celebrate this important work. It takes a village, and our village showed up in spades!” In addition to tips for the bartenders, Link to Libraries also raised funds through the sale tickets of raffle items generously donated by MGM Springfield, Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Max Restaurant Group, Callaway Golf, and The Student Prince and Fort. Michelle Abdow and Sue Spiry from Market Mentors along with Janine and Jay Queenin of Specialty Bolt and Screw raised close to $13,000. The race was too close to call, so on behalf of each of the winning teams, Link to Libraries will donate 100 new books to both Springfield’s Hiram Dorman and Mary Pottenger elementary schools. Both Market Mentors and Specialty Bolt & Screw generously sponsor those schools through Link to Libraries’ Community Book Link Sponsorship Program. Other bartenders included: Crystal Neuhauser (UMass Amherst Foundation); Jennifer McGrath (MGM Springfield); Nikki Burnett and Amy Stec (Educare Springfield); Ryan McCollum (RMC Strategies); Kristin Fitzpatrick (William Raveis Realty); Juan LaTorre III (Verizon); Kathy Martin (Glenmeadow); Andrea Hicks-Martin (Elms College); and Michelle and Ben Sullivan (Balise Auto Group). Tim Cullinan of The New System provided music for the event, and Chris Marion of Chris Marion Photography captured the evening in photos. Both generously donated their time and services. About Link to Libraries Link to Libraries is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to distribute new books to school and home libraries in need. By increasing a child’s access to books, Link to Libraries strives to enhance the language and literacy skills of children of all cultural backgrounds. To date, Link to Libraries has donated over one million new books and sponsors 70 schools in need throughout Western Massachusetts, Northern Connecticut and Boston.

Link to Libraries Expands to Boston

February 26, 2026
"Link to Libraries" coming to Boston after donating over 1 million books to kids in need Laurie Flynn of Link to Libraries talks about the organization's efforts to get books into the hands of children. View WBZ News CBS Boston story below.

22News InFocus with Patrick Berry featuring Link to Libraries President/CEO Laurie Flynn

September 18, 2025
Link to Libraries CEO and President Laurie Flynn was honored to sit down with Patrick Berry of 22News for an in-depth interview about Link to Libraries and its impact in the community.
A boy and a girl are laying on the floor reading a book.

Keeping kids reading through the summer and beyond!

July 15, 2025
We asked our expert Laurie Flynn, President and CEO of Link to Libraries, to help us come up with some creative ways to make reading fun!

Toyota and Balise Toyota donate $10,000 to local nonprofit

June 25, 2025
Link to Libraries, a non-profit organization that provides millions of books to children received a generous donation from Balise Toyota in West Springfield.
More Posts