News Release

Winner of the License Plate contest Gerri Fegan met well known author Gregory Maguire at his home. Maguire, well known author of Wicked, will dedicate his next book to Gerri.

The statewide effort to raise funds for libraries through the Massachusetts Library License Plate continues with the lucky winners of the early applicant contest meeting authors Gregory Maguire and Lois Lowry.

Gerri Fegan from West Middle School Media Center met Gregory Maguire at his home and was thrilled that he was dedicating his next book to her as well as public and school librarians, “It means so much to me, to all of us, to be recognized and appreciated in this way," said Gerri, who has read everything Maguire’s written. She found the author “warm, witty, and welcoming.”

Members of the License Plate Committee select the winners who will meet authors Gregory Maguire and Lois Lowry. Three thousand people need to sign up for the license plate before production of it can begin.

Gregory Maguire, well known author of Wicked (the inspiration for the Broadway musical of the same name), spent time chatting with Gerri about work, family, and the importance of libraries in his own life. Libraries form part of what makes him happy and who he is, “I owe it to the way my parents educated me, my Catholic upbringing, and the fact that I was raised by librarians.”

George Clark from Harvard College Library will meet author Lois Lowry in February. Ms. Lowry is best known as the author of Newberry Medal winners The Giver and Number the Stars.

 Three thousand people need to sign up for the Massachusetts Library License Plate before the Registry of Motor Vehicles will begin production of it. “That sounds like a lot,” said License Plate Committee Member Karen Spiewak “but if we just had three people from each library sign up we’d meet our goal.”

More information (including an application) can be found here.