Rolling Out Red Carpet for Ex-Security Guard, Now Best-Selling Author

DEDHAM, MA - Patrick Bringley, author of the bestselling book All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum and Me, will be speaking at the Dedham Public Library as part of Dedham Reads Together, the annual community-wide reading program launched in 2011 by Dedham Library Innovation Team (DLIT). Bringley’s book was named the 2024 Dedham Reads Together Official Selection by DLIT and its program partners. The community is invited to attend the program’s signature event on Thursday evening, April 18th, at 6:30 pm at the Dedham Public Library. A reception including a book signing, cash bar, live music by pianist Linnéa Bardarson, and light refreshments will follow the author talk from 8 - 9 pm. The event will be open to the public, but pre-registration is requested at DLIT2024.eventbrite.com.

Named Best Book of the Year by the New York Public Library, National Public Radio, the Financial Times, and the London Sunday Times, Bringley’s book is an inspiring portrait of New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, written after Bringley spent ten years as a security guard at the museum. With accolades from all corners of the book industry, the book follows Bringley’s journey from the personal crisis that led him to seek temporary solace as a guard, to the wisdom and healing that is unexpectedly built over time through his relationships with his colleagues, and more importantly, the art all around him.

DLIT (The Dedham Library Innovation Team) works with the Dedham Library and the Dedham Public Schools’ library/media specialists each spring to choose books and to host events and activities across all age levels with a common theme. To support this year’s theme, Museums All Around Us, an additional selection of museum-themed books including picture books and titles for middle grade and young adult readers will be shared with students in the Dedham public schools and patrons of the public libraries.

The librarians in the schools, along with the Dedham Public Library, have also planned a full calendar of programming around the DLIT reading list. Details are available on dedhamlibrary.com. Student projects inspired by the books and the museum theme will be on display at the library on the night of the event.

In addition to the funding provided by DLIT, financial support for the program has been provided by Gold Sponsor Dedham Savings, and the Friends of the Dedham Public Library as Silver Sponsor.

About DLIT: The Dedham Library Innovation Team (DLIT) is a 501(c)(3) organization committed to creating collaborative, positive partnerships between the libraries, schools, and community in order to support literacy and innovation in the town’s libraries, schools, and neighborhoods. Along with the annual Dedham Reads Together program, DLIT has also been responsible for other initiatives to support the literacy and libraries in the community, including the Dedham Little Libraries Project. Since 2011, DLIT has funded technology and book purchases and provided advocacy for both Dedham's public libraries and our school libraries. More information can be found on the Dedham Library Innovation Team’s website, DLITdedham.com.