We the People
We the People is a National Endowment for the Humanities program "designed to encourage and enhance the teaching, study, and understanding of American history, culture, and democratic principles. NEH was founded on the belief that cultivating the best of the humanities has real and tangible benefits for civic life. Through We the People, NEH has rededicated itself to this mission, and is leading a renaissance in knowledge about American history and principles among all our citizens." --from the NEH We the People website.
A key element in the program is the "We the People Bookshelf", a cooperative grant program sponsored by the American Library Association and the NEH. Each year, public and school libraries are invited to apply for the grant by creating a series of programs which explore the meaning of a yearly theme. Winners receive a collection of books to promote the theme to patrons of all ages. For the past five years, the South Kingstown Public Library has been a recipient of this grant.
Annotated booklists have been compiled by Brandi Kenyon of South Kingstown Public Library:
We the People: Becoming American
We the People: Pursuit of Happiness
We the People: Picturing America
This page updated April 21, 2010.