BENTON, KY – According to the most recent report by the US Department of Health and Human Services, there is an average of 136,000 adoptions annually in the United States. Another report from the US Census Bureau estimates that one in twenty-five American families have adopted a child.
“A lot of adopted children and adoptive parents use the library,” says Lenisa Jones, Branch Manager of the Marshall County Public Library @Benton. “After hearing Molly McCaffrey’s story at a recent library conference, the idea was born to offer a special program for those families.”
Molly McCaffrey is the author of You Belong To Us, the real-life account of meeting her birth parents as a teen and the effect it had on her life. Originally from the east coast, McCaffrey now resides in Bowling Green and speaks at libraries across Kentucky. She will be speaking about her book and participating in a panel discussion on growing up adopted at the Marshall County Public Library @Benton on Monday, November 14. She will be joined on the panel by Bettie Bean and Kim Armistead who will both be speaking on their experiences with adoption.
“We’re really excited to have Molly join us. We hope area families who have adopted, fostered, or are considering doing either will join us,” says Jones. “To make it easier on families with small children, Ms. Beth has planned a program for kids to participate in while their parents are taking part in the adult program.”
Families who plan to bring their children to the program are encouraged to preregister so the library can ensure they have enough food and supplies for all the children attending. More information about this program, as well as other library events, visit www.marshallcolibrary.org.