We the People Bookshelf on "Created Equal" (HISTORICAL)

As part of its  We the People program, NEH is collaborating with the American Library Association (ALA) to present the  We the People Bookshelf, a program that encourages young people to read classic books and explore themes in American history, culture, and ideas. School libraries (K–12) and public libraries are invited to apply for a full set of books that embody in one way or another the theme “Created Equal.”

Successful applicants will receive a set of 15 classic hardcover books for young readers and supplementary materials.

 

All public libraries and school libraries (K–12) in the United States and its territories are eligible to apply. School libraries (K–12) include public, private, parochial, charter schools, and home school consortia. Libraries with collections that circulate to the general public and offer reading–based programs for the general public are eligible to apply. Libraries may also collaborate with other (non–library) organizations to develop and deliver programs; however, the Bookshelves must be housed in the libraries to which they are awarded.

 

Individuals, organizations other than libraries, and schools and libraries operated by Federal entities, such as the Department of Defense, are not eligible to apply.

 

Applications may be submitted by:

 

*individual libraries applying on their own;

more than one library within each town, county, state, or system;

 

*library systems or school districts applying on behalf of multiple branches or schools; and

 

*libraries that apply on behalf of multiple libraries within a community.

 

Ineligible applications will not be reviewed.

In return for receiving a Bookshelf, libraries are required to organize programs that introduce the books and the “Created Equal” theme to the library’s students, young patrons, or intergenerational audiences.

 

In addition to the books, libraries will receive supplemental materials to help with publicity and administration of public programs.

 

Programs should take place within the recipient school or library, although programs may also extend beyond the library walls through collaboration with other school or public libraries.

 

NEH encourages collaboration among libraries within school districts or library systems to encourage young people to reflect on the theme “Created Equal.” The online application process makes it possible for the central office of a school district or library system to apply on behalf of all of its member libraries, up to a total of 100. If you submit an application on behalf of multiple schools or libraries, you as project director will be responsible for communicating with each participating library about the project: sharing with them the narrative statement, notifying them of the award, and checking program status with each of them during the grant term.

 

Libraries may also collaborate with other (non–library) organizations to develop local history displays, intergenerational story hours, living history presentations, or public events focused on “Created Equal” illuminated by one or more of the books. Activities might include, but are not limited to:

 

*prominent display of the Bookshelf to promote patron awareness;

 

*a program of readings based on the Bookshelf by local civic and business leaders;

 

*special story hours featuring one or more books and exploring specific historical or cultural themes it (or they) illuminate;

 

*a panel discussion with community leaders and teachers highlighting the “Created Equal” theme and how the books express that theme in literary form;

 

*a book club for young readers based on the Bookshelf;

 

*ribbons or certificates to recognize young readers who read all the books in their age category;

 

*discussion of the books on local cable TV and radio programs; or

 

*the presentation of one of the books as a play, after which children are encouraged to discuss the theme of “Created Equal” illuminated by this work.

Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

 

*How well conceived are the programs, and how likely are they to appeal to the intended audience, whether it is young readers in a school, the young patrons of a library, or a broader public community?

 

*Do the proposed programs actively encourage young people to read specific books included in the “Created Equal” Bookshelf?

 

*How effectively will the applicant make use of the We the People books to engage library patrons in exploring the “Created Equal” theme?

 

*How committed is the library to promoting ongoing interest in the Bookshelf?

 

*If a library indicates past experience with one or more We the People Bookshelves, to what extent has the Bookshelf become an integral part of the library’s educational programming?