Staff reports | Two local organizations that support libraries have arranged for the Charleston premiere on Friday of a new movie that explores homelessness and public space. A panel discussion with area librarians about the issues in the film will follow.
“The Public,” which had its U.S. release last week in selected theaters, features Emilio Estevez, who wrote, directed and starred in the film, and a host of familiar actors, including Alec Baldwin. The first Charleston viewing will be 7 p.m. Friday at the Terrace Theater on James Island.
“The movie has been viewed by librarians at American Library Association meetings and has been met with much acclaim,” said Janet Segal, chair of the Library Foundation of the Lowcountry. “We are excited to premiere this film in Charleston plus offer a unique opportunity to further discuss the movie and the issue with representatives from public library systems of Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties.””
Brittany Mathis, executive director of the Charleston Friends of the Library, added, “Libraries are much more than a place to borrow the latest Toni Morrison – you can get internet access, learn a new skill and engage in civic discussions. But for the homeless population, libraries have also been used as a place for shelter from cold weather.”
Both groups collaborated to bring the movie to Charleston.
“This event is also an opportunity to celebrate the first working partnership between the Foundation, the Charleston Friends of the Library and all three library systems,” Segal said. “We look forward to hosting movie-goers from the tri-county!”
The Friends of the Library have been supporting Charleston libraries for years, making donations to the Charleston system of more than $100,000 annually for programs in libraries. The Foundation, formed two years ago, also provides funding to tri-county public libraries for extraordinary projects and programs that are not funded by local governments. The Foundation seeks to engage donors and the community in shaping and supporting libraries through community programming that focuses on social justice, added Segal, a former chair of the Charleston County Public Library Board of Trustees.
The film will be shown at 7 p.m. April 12 at the Terrace Theater, 1956 Maybank Highway, James Island. Tickets are $10 for members of the Friends of the Library and $12 for non-members.
Following the film will be a panel discussion featuring Darlene Jackson, acting director of the Charleston County Public Library; Gene Brunson, director of the Berkeley County Library System; and Jenn Gleber, branch and public relations manager of the Dorchester County Library in Summerville.
- Click here to learn more and purchase tickets.
- Have a comment? Send to: editor@charlestoncurrents.com
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