Manatee Church to Observe Freedom to Read Day

The Manatee Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will host a Freedom to Read event on Saturday, November 21, marking the third anniversary of the Warmington Freedom Tiny Library located outside the church, which offers free children's books from Florida’s banned books list.

Hillsborough County Library Media Specialist Maria Masfferer, who appears in the 2025 documentary film The Librarians will discuss banned books from librarians' perspectives, and members will read aloud several titles removed from Florida libraries. A question-and-answer session will follow. Attendees can also browse the next collection of banned children’s books to be added to the library.

In November 2023, the Warmington Freedom Tiny Library was established, made possible through a generous gift from Carl and Ruth Warmington.

"It represents a meaningful ministry of our Fellowship and a direct response to book banning in Florida," said Becky Smith, President of the UU’s board of directors. "So far, the tiny library has shared more than 700 books focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, and Unitarian Universalist values, helping to ensure that important voices and perspectives remain accessible to all. This growing community effort continues as neighbors and members contribute their own books, turning the library into a living symbol of shared commitment to learning, justice, and freedom of expression."

Florida currently ranks second in the U.S. behind Texas for book bans with approximately 3,200 book removal instances recorded.

The event will take place 2:00pm and is free and open to the public. The Manatee Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is located at 322 15th St. W in downtown Bradenton.