Lenox Library to Host Banned Bookathon

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LENOX, Mass. — In celebration of Banned Books Week, which takes place Oct. 5 through 11, 2025, Lenox Library will host an all-day "Banned Bookathon" on Wednesday, Oct. 8.

Community members are invited to sign up for a 15-minute timeslot(s) to read from their favorite banned book. The Library hopes to fill the day with diverse readers and stories celebrating the right to read.

Established in 1982, Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community in shared support of the freedom to read. This year’s theme is “Censorship Is So 1984. Read for Your Rights.”

With the escalation in attempts to ban books in libraries, schools, and bookstores around the country, George Orwell’s cautionary tale 1984 serves a prescient warning about the dangers of censorship, stated a press release.

To sign up for a "Banned Bookathon" timeslot, learn about frequently challenged books, or for more information, visit https://lenoxlib.org/event/banned-bookathon/.

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield School Committee to Again Vote on PHS Report Release

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The School Committee will again discuss releasing a redacted version of the PHS report after confusion over a March vote. 

On Wednesday, member Ciara Batory, who has been vocal about releasing last year’s investigation into allegations of staff misconduct at Pittsfield High School, demanded a date for its release to the public.  It was indicated that the item can be put on the next meeting's agenda. 

"I am done playing the game. The public wants a date of when the redacted PHS report will be released, and I will not stop until I get a date," she said before a five-minute recess was called on the meeting. 

Last school year, five past and present PHS staff members were investigated for alleged misconduct, and allegations were found to be "unsupported," according to executive summaries released by the last term's committee. 

The School Committee agenda for its March 25 meeting included a "request by Ciara Batory to release the May 2025 Pittsfield High report with required redactions." It was reported that there were threats of legal action if the redacted report were released. 

Batory on Wednesday said she did not request that agenda item, and that the motion had already passed. Mayor Peter Marchetti, also chair, said they voted in January to review the redacted version, not to release it. 

Batory played the motion that passed in January from her phone: 

"I move the committee vote to release a PHS investigation report in a redacted form by February 18, 2026, and I'd like to add to that the School Committee reviews it before its release to the public, to make sure that there is enough to present to the public."

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