We the People Bookshelf Project Announces New Grants on the Pursuit of Happiness
The American Library Association Public Programs Office (http://www.ala.org/publicprograms/) is partnering with the National Endowment for the Humanities (http://www.neh.gov/) for the fourth We the People Bookshelf project. Part of the NEH's We the People initiative (http://www.wethepeople.gov/), the bookshelf project is a grant program created to encourage young people to read and understand great literature while exploring themes in American history. This year's theme is the "Pursuit of Happiness." In spring 2007, NEH and placeStateALA will select 2,000 public and school libraries to receive the bookshelf -- a collection of fifteen classic hard-cover books for young readers. Those selected will be required to use the bookshelf selections in programs for young readers in their communities. In addition, libraries will receive four of these books in Spanish translation, a bonus music CD, and supplementary materials for programming, including bookplates, bookmarks, and posters. School districts (K-12) and public library systems are invited to apply for bookshelves on behalf of the multiple schools or branches they comprise. Individual branch or school libraries also are encouraged to apply. The application and guidelines as well as a list of programming ideas are available through the ALA Web site.
