10/10/2026
Author James McBride's remarks Thursday at the Champaign Public Library were insightful and timely. Following are a few of the thoughts he shared.
" A library is a temple of decency."
"Libraries are really important. I wrote part of my first book (The Color of Water) in the library."
"Teachers are first responders. People who deal with our children's lives are the true first responders."
"The real work happens in places like the library, where the librarian says: 'That book is good, but this one is even better.' That's where God really shows up."
"Don't give your kids a cell phone. Don't give your grandkids a cell phone. You can't be a good writer by looking at a cell phone because you're looking at somebody else's ideas."
"My mother used to say, 'Educate yourself or you're going to become a nobody.' It's still true. And, don't give up on your children. As a parent, you just have to give a little more."
Mcbride also whet the audience's appetite by announcing that he will be releasing a new book next year.
