Author Talk with Byron Williams

• Liberty and Equality in America: Examining the Radical and Paradoxical Legacy of the Declaration of Independence
• Wednesday, October 7, 2026. 12pm - 1:00pm
• In-person and Virtual event. No registration required.
• State Library of Massachusetts - Room 341, Massachusetts State House
• Livestream on YouTube

The State Library Author Talks Series welcomes author, adjunct professor, and former NPR-affiliate host, Byron Williams, as our October speaker.

This is an in-person and virtual event. The livestream available on our YouTube channel courtesy of the Massachusetts House of Representatives Broadcast Services. Tune in at noon!

Be sure to sign up for our Author Talks newsletter and follow our social media channels (Instagram, Facebook, and X) for the latest information on our visiting authors. If you are unable to attend, the recording will be posted to our YouTube channel to watch anytime - view all past recordings here!

About the book: Byron Williams’ sixth book examines the central tension between America's founding ideals of liberty and equality and the country's often contradictory history. Williams looks at issues including slavery, westward expansion, capitalism, civil rights, education, and civil liberties. As the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, Williams takes a timely look at the Declaration of Independence and reflects on America's founding promises versus its lived reality and how this gap will shape the nation's future.

About the author: Byron Williams is a columnist, author, former NPR-affiliate host, and adjunct professor. His weekly social/political column appears in the Huffington Post, the Winston Salem Journal and the Bay Area News Group.

Williams' most recent literary entry, Liberty and Equality in America, is a second edition to his 2020 offering The Radical Declaration: An Enlightened America Idea, five thought provoking essays that uses the Declaration of Independence to examine the American narrative through its stated commitments of liberty and equality and its unstated silent partner, paradox; it was ranked #1 by Amazon for Historical essays. In 2022, he penned Our American Experiment, a collection of fictionalized short stories critiquing the American moment. In 2013, he wrote 1963: The Year of Hope and Hostility, which won the 2014 International Book Award for US History.

In 2010 and 2011, Williams' work was nationally recognized by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), which nominated him for “Columnist of the Year.” Williams has spoken across the country and appeared on numerous television and radio news programs, including CNN, MSNBC, ABC Radio, Fox News, and National Public Radio. In 2026, Williams was featured by USA Today, along with other noted scholars, writers, and artists examining the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

As always, this author talk is free and open to all. If you are able to join us in person for this talk, attendees will be able to participate in a question-and-answer session with the author. Books will be available to purchase after the event; $20.00 cash, check, or Venmo accepted.

Any questions or concerns, please email us at AuthorTalks.StateLibrary@mass.gov. For more information on the State Library Author Talks series, please visit our site.


April Pascucci
On behalf of the Author Talks Committee

Resource Spotlight: Very Short Introduction Books!

The State Library recently added some new resources to its collections. These latest additions are from the Oxford University Press’s A Very Short Introduction series. Some of our newest titles include: 

• Asian American History
• Black Narratives of Slavery
• The U.S. Constitution
• Witchcraft

Whether you’re in the initial phases of your research or you just want to learn something new or refresh your memory on a specific topic, these A Very Short Introduction books provide a great starting point.

Search our catalog to browse the titles from the A Very Short Introduction books available through the libraries in the CW Mars network. If you have a library card with us, you can request to borrow these (and any other book) through the CW Mars network and have it sent to the State Library for pickup! Don’t have a library card with us? Sign up for one today (please note that you must be a current, permanent employee of Executive, Legislative, or Judicial branches of government in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and have valid Commonwealth of Massachusetts identification in order to get a library card with us): Apply for a State Library Card or Renew an Existing Card.

If you need assistance locating these resources – or any other titles for your research, please feel free to email us at Reference.Department@mass.gov and one of our librarians will be happy to assist you.

Happy reading!

Maryellen Larkin

Government Documents Reference Librarian

Three Ruffed Grouse Visit the Library

Our 2026 road trip through the thirteen original colonies is winding down, but this month we're stopping in Pennsylvania with the Ruffed Grouse (Audubon plate 41). Adopted in 1931, Pennsylvania distinguishes this as their state game bird, and it's well deserved, as the Ruffed Grouse is the most widely distributed game bird in North America.

Here in Massachusetts, the Ruffed Grouse is included in the Commonwealth's State Wildlife Action Plan as a species of greatest conservation need. You can read more about it on the Mass.gov website.

And now that we're in September, the color palette of this print is giving off autumn vibes! Audubon's print shows two males (with blue plumage) and a female below. Be sure to visit us from September 8 through October 7 to see it in person and check out our previously displayed state birds here. 

Elizabeth Roscio

Preservation Librarian

Get Outdoors with DCR: Explore Parks and Recreation Across Massachusetts

Summer doesn’t officially end until September 23rd which means there is still time to get out there and enjoy the lovely New England weather before a chill starts to fill the air and frost covers the ground. There is so much to do around the Bay State, but today we’d like to highlight the many programs and events offered by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).These activities are free and open to everyone, making them a great way to spend time with family, friends, or even your four-legged companion.

Park Passport Challenge

If you're looking for a fun way to explore Massachusetts, the Park Passport Challenge is a great place to start. Participants can download or print a Park Passport and visit participating DCR parks throughout the Commonwealth, collecting stamps as they go. From scenic hiking trails and peaceful beaches to historic landmarks and urban parks, each destination offers something unique. Whether you make it your goal to visit a handful of parks or fill your entire passport, the challenge is a wonderful way to discover new places while enjoying everything Massachusetts' state parks have to offer.

Learn more about the Park Passport Challenge and download your passport on the DCR website.

Playgrounds, courts, and outdoor fitness areas

Looking for a quick outdoor activity closer to home? DCR also maintains hundreds of community recreation areas throughout Massachusetts. These include playgrounds, basketball and tennis courts, pickleball courts, street hockey rinks, skate parks, and outdoor fitness equipment. These spaces provide free opportunities for people of all ages to stay active, whether you're bringing children to a neighborhood playground, meeting friends for a game, or getting in a workout before or after work. With so many locations across the Commonwealth, it's easy to find a nearby DCR property where you can enjoy the outdoors, exercise, and spend time with your community.

Visit the DCR website to search for playgrounds, courts, fitness areas, and other recreational facilities near you.

Celebrate Massachusetts' Revolutionary History

Special this year is DCR's commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. As part of the statewide MA250 celebration, DCR is encouraging visitors to explore Massachusetts' state parks and complete any two of the featured "Join the Revolution" activities. Participants who complete the challenge will receive a commemorative MA250 sticker and be entered into a drawing for a grand prize: a four-pack of ferry tickets to the Boston Harbor Islands. It's a fun way to experience the outdoors while connecting with the Commonwealth's rich history.

For more information and a complete list of activities, visit DCR's Join the Revolution webpage.

Don’t forget to check out our digital repository to see some of the items we have available online from the Department of Conservation and Recreation. 

General plan for Charles River Speedway: for horses and bicycles, 1897

You'll find highlights like: 

• Suggested Hikes, Rides, and Paddles
• Trip-Tip Self-Guided Adventures
• Department of Conservation and Recreation Maps

Jessica Shrey
Legal Research Reference Librarian

State Library Newsletter - September Issue

Welcome to September! Our monthly newsletter is out now and full of information about the launch of our new season of Author Talks, our seasonal exhibits, and of course, some references to going back to school!

 
Pictured here is a preview, but the full issue can be accessed by clicking here. And you can also sign up for our mailing list to receive the newsletter straight to your inbox.