Family Reading Nights at the East Chicago Public Library usually find a few dozen participants and sessions always starting on time.
Neither of those traditions was observed recently when Chicago Bulls shooting guard E’Twaun Moore, an East Chicago native, came to visit as the guest reader. But the huge crowd attending the program was more than OK with the delay.
“We knew it would be crowded, but my grandson wanted to take a chance on getting E’Twaun’s autograph before things got started,” said Gerrald Parker of East Chicago. “I love this library. They are doing good things for our kids. And bringing a basketball star to encourage them to read is a great idea.”
Youth Services director JoAnn White kept the event moving smoothly — ushering one row at a time to see Moore in the library’s Templeton Gallery to get his autograph. The procedure took about an hour, but the more than 125 audience members didn’t seem to mind at all.
“We enjoy the library and we’re all Bulls fans, so we’re very excited to be here,” said mom Liliana Tinoco of East Chicago, as she waited with son Edgar, 14, and Cecilia, 12, for their turn in the gallery. “It’s not every day we get to meet an NBA player.”
The book Moore read to the families was, “The Goldenly Wreath” written by local author LaTonya Hicks.
Hicks, who works in the library’s Public Relations Department, is a graduate of East Chicago Central High School and a friend of Moore. Her book is an encouraging Dr. Seuss-like story that urges readers to follow their dreams and never give up.
“I loved the way Dr. Seuss books made me feel,” she said. “I wanted to convey that to the children.”
Between the autograph session and the time he took center stage as the evening’s guest reader, Moore commented on his childhood in East Chicago and his basketball career.
“The East Chicago Library played a major part in my life,” he said. “I always made reading fun.”
The 2007 graduate of East Chicago Central High School led the Cardinals to a state championship, and then it was on to Purdue University in Lafayette to study organizational leadership and supervision.
Moore entered the NBA draft in 2011, where he was selected 55th overall in the second round by the Boston Celtics. Currently a member of the Chicago Bulls, he sports a No. 55 jersey.
As the evening came to an end, many of the parents said they were impressed with not only Moore taking time to appear at their local library but his ease at dealing with the crowd, as well as making a lasting impression on the children.
“Seeing someone famous on their own territory really does make an impact,” grandmother Latisha Brownwell of Hammond said. “And E’Twaun seems like a really nice, laid-back guy — not like some sports figures you see. He seems to have values we want in our kids.”
Indeed, Moore left the children with some profound thoughts to take into their future.
Moore, who has accomplished many goals by working hard and staying focused, concluded Family Reading Night echoing the book’s words of inspiration and advice.
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“Stay up with your education and keep working on setting goals. Dream on, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to,” he said. “When things get hard and you still accomplish your goals, it’s a good feeling.”
He concluded with one important pearl of wisdom: “And remember, no matter what aspect in life, you will always need your reading skills.”
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Learn more
East Chicago Public Library offers many free programs throughout the year. For more information, call 219-397-2453.