Chapters in chairs: ‘Lounging for Literacy II’ draws 240 to Westhampton library — but no new world record

WESTHAMPTON — Exactly 240 people came out with their lawn chairs on Saturday at the town’s library in hopes of being a part of a world record for the largest gathering of people reading in lawn chairs.

While the outcome didn’t overcome 287, the number set in 2007 on the same Westhampton lawn outside the library, organizer Laurie Sanders said they still have bragging rights for the record anyway.

“We still hold the world record,” she said, but explained that Guinness World Records did not accept the record because it is impossible to determine if people are “reading and comprehending,” she said.

Only Seattle has tried a similar event, and did not beat Westhampton’s number. On Saturday, Sanders issued a challenge to other libraries across the nation to try and set a new record.

Lounging for Literacy II, as it has been coined, was first organized 17 years ago by Sanders. At the time it was part of a massive fundraising campaign for a new library in Westhampton.

This year, lounging was about community, celebrating 15 years with a new library and, as she said, “an opportunity to stand up for libraries while sitting,” given the funding desert in which libraries may find themselves in the near future due to federal cuts.

Saturday’s event, she said, was inspired by the question of, “how do you make the community recognize what a special place it can be, and a place where people can gather? Because you know, its more than just a library.”

And the 240 people who showed up felt the same way — that libraries are more than just libraries.

“We would love the idea to spread across the nation, because look, look at these people — they’re here together,” and Sanders.

Alison Thirkield was in her lawn chair inching closer to completing every book written by the literary titan Stephen King.

“I’m working on completing everything he’s written — I’m only 10 books shy,” she said. “I’ve been reading him my whole lifetime, but it was a couple years ago that I was like, let me make a list and just see what’s left.”

A Westhampton resident, Thirkield moved here two years ago from Connecticut.

“These libraries are powerful — they are the cornerstone of the public, of democracy, which needs some help right now,” she said.

Andy Goulet is enthusiastic about reading on music and biographies on musicians. His book of choice on Saturday was “Free Jazz,” by Ekkehard Jost.

The Easthampton resident was there for the opportunity to read outside in the company of others.

“Libraries are important community centers that we need to protect and value — this event just shows you how many people use the library and enjoy it,” said Goulet, who mentioned he is a frequent visitor at libraries, multiple times a week even.

State Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa brought a chair, sat down next to her constituents, and opened midway through George Elliot’s “Middlemarch,” where she had a ribbon marking her page.

She was making up for two weeks of lost time from her college years.

Sabadosa told the story of how when she was in college she had a flu that kept her out of classes for two weeks. To catch up in her course the professor said it may be best to skip the thick text as a way to catch up.

“I have felt guilty since,” she said with a laugh.

And where did she get the text? Forbes Library in Northampton, she made sure to mention.

Julie Chandler and Katharine Nelson were happy to see each other there, and set up their lawn chairs under a tree.

Chandler, of Easthampton, was reading, but not exactly a book. Instead she had the Gazette in her hands and was, “heartened to hear that Provisions is moving in where Cornucopia was so that space won’t be empty,” based on the article she was reading.

Explaining why she was there, Chandler said “I’m participating to be in a potential world record, and I do partake of libraries, and just thought this would be something really different to do.”

Nelson a library volunteer, said “I think it’s really important to have a library in your community,” and said Tuesdays are one of her favorite days of the week because that is when she goes to organize books in the stacks.

All ages attended the event, with a range of activities outside of reading.

Local authors sold books, among them Tzivia Gover, who was selling her books that focus on the importance of sleep for human evolution. She invites anyone to come to Forbes and write with her — yet another resource available in a local library as a haven for writers.

“I write in Forbes a lot and also host a drop-in writing group at Forbes for anybody who wants to write on Wednesday mornings,” she said.

Samuel Gelinas can be reached at sgelinas@gazettenet.com.