KINGSTON ANNOUNCES WE THE PEOPLE BOOKSHELF AWARDS
Three Rivers Library System, Glynn Academy to receive American classics
Washington,
Apr 9, 2008 -
Congressman Jack Kingston (GA-1) today announced that seven local libraries have been awarded books through the National Endowment for the Humanities’ (NEH) We the People Bookshelf program. The seventeen books included in the grant are centered around the theme of “Created Equal”
“These books contain some of the great stories of our Nation’s history,” Congressman Kingston said. “With them, I hope students of all ages will gain a better understanding of one of America’s greatest founding principles – equality.”
Local recipients of the national program include the Brunswick-Glynn County Library, Glynn Academy, Ida Hilton Public Library of Darien and McIntosh County, Charlton Public Library, Wayne County Library, Brantley County Library, and the Hog Hammock Public Library on Sapelo Island. Each library will receive a set of the 17 books along with posters, bookmarks, and other promotional materials from NEH through the American Library Association (ALA), which is working in partnership with the Endowment. As part of the award, libraries are organizing programs or events to raise awareness of these classic books and engage young readers.
"These books will assist our libraries in providing quality materials for young people and help encourage them to explore themes in American history, culture and ideas," said Jane Hildebrand, Affiliate Library Coordinator for the Three Rivers Regional Library System. "They will be a great addition to the libraries and help us provide the best books available for our communities and especially our young people. With limited financial resources grants like this really make a difference to our libraries."
"The We the People Bookshelf introduces young readers to important literature and promotes the understanding of vital ideas in our nation’s history,” said NEH Chairman Bruce Cole. “Through the power of these stories millions of young readers will have the opportunity to examine the central tenet of our American identity: that all human beings ‘are created equal.’”
“The great thing is the books are high quality hard cover books with attractive covers which pique the student’s interest," said Dr. Melissa Allen, Glynn Academy Media Specialist. "With the books received through the grant this year we saw a lot of interest and circulation in these books, so they are also a part of our incentive reading program. We are excited about the collection for this year and look forward to receiving the books!”
The books selected for the “Created Equal” Bookshelf include several on Abraham Lincoln to facilitate programming for the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial over the next year. These include a “History in a Box” collection of resource materials on Lincoln developed by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American history.
The bookshelf program is part of the NEH’s We the People program, which supports projects that strengthen the teaching, study, and understanding of American history and culture.
