UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Center for the Book, housed within Penn State University Libraries, has announced the premiere of the Pennsylvania episode of "American Stories: A Reading Road Trip," a new series created by PBS Books in partnership with the Library of Congress and its Affiliate Centers for the Book.
The Pennsylvania episode premiered May 26 via PBS Books Facebook Live and will also stream on the PBS Books YouTube channel, the PBS app and online at PBS.org.
Timed with America’s 250th anniversary, "American Stories: A Reading Road Trip" celebrates the literary heritage and storytelling traditions that have shaped the nation. Each episode explores the voices, books, libraries, bookstores and cultural landmarks that define a state or territory’s creative identity.
Pennsylvania’s episode takes viewers on a vibrant literary journey from Pittsburgh through the Appalachian Mountains to Philadelphia and beyond, highlighting the commonwealth’s enduring influence on American literature, journalism, theater, education and public life.
The episode features historical literary figures including Benjamin Franklin, whose publication of "Poor Richard’s Almanack" and founding of the Library Company of Philadelphia helped establish public access to knowledge as a cornerstone of civic life; Nellie Bly, whose groundbreaking and daring reporting transformed investigative journalism; and Bayard Rustin, whose advocacy and writing advanced nonviolent protest in support of civil rights and LGBTQ+ equality.
The program also celebrates Pennsylvania storytellers whose work shaped generations of Americans. This includes historical figures such as August Wilson, whose plays chronicled Black life in Pittsburgh, and Fred Rogers, whose compassionate storytelling on "Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood" inspired families and children around the world. It also features contemporary Pennsylvania writers, including poet Marjorie Maddox, current Philadelphia Poet Laureate Raina J. León, bestselling author Jennifer Weiner, and young adult author Eric Smith, whose works continue to expand and redefine the literary landscape.
Viewers will also explore Pennsylvania’s rich literary and cultural institutions, including the Athenaeum of Philadelphia, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, City of Asylum, Giovanni’s Room, and the Mütter Museum. Book awards and educational initiatives offered by the Pennsylvania Center for the Book are also highlighted.
About the Pennsylvania Center for the Book
The Pennsylvania Center for the Book, sponsored by Penn State University Libraries, promotes libraries and literacy across the commonwealth while also encouraging Pennsylvanians to read, study and celebrate books. As Pennsylvania’s Affiliate Center for the Book, the center connects readers of all ages with books, authors, libraries and stories that reflect and celebrate Pennsylvania’s diverse literary and cultural landscape.
About PBS Books
PBS Books is a multi-platform initiative celebrating the love of reading. PBS Books is dedicated to connecting books with audiences through engaging experiences that spark curiosity and encourage a lifelong love of reading and learning. Through social and digital engagement and live coverage of literary events across the country, PBS Books celebrates books and writers while fostering a passion for reading among public media viewers and listeners. Visit pbsbooks.org, subscribe to the PBS Books YouTube channel, and follow PBS Books on social media to learn more.
About the Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States — and extensive materials from around the world — both on-site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Through the Center for the Book and its nationwide network of Affiliate Centers for the Book, it also promotes reading, libraries, literacy and the literary heritage of the United States through programs and partnerships in every state and territory.