For immediate release | June 8, 2010

NEH, 91´«Ã½ announce 30 libraries to receive $2,000 programming grants

91´«Ã½

Funds will support diverse Picturing America programs
CHICAGO – The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½) Public Programs Office announced that 30 public libraries will receive grants of $2,000 to support humanities programs that feature the Picturing America collection of art reproductions. Programs for youth, family and adult audiences, as well as programs that promote inter-generational dialogue, were selected to receive the grants.
The funded programs will present the iconic American artworks featured in the Picturing America collection through a variety of programming formats, including discussions of local history, musical performances, a photography contest, storytelling events, author visits, hands-on art workshops, a celebration of Native American heritage, art-inspired poetry and scholarly lectures. Additionally, several libraries will present one of five reading and discussion series developed by the 91´«Ã½ Public Programs Office to highlight and enhance the Picturing America collection.
The selected libraries, listed in alphabetical order by state, are:
· Palmer Public Library, Palmer, Alaska
· Prosser Public Library, Bloofield, Conn.
· Franklin DeGroodt Memorial Library, Palm Bay, Fla.
· Athens-Clarke County Library, Athens, Ga.
· Three Rivers Regional Library System, Brunswick, Ga.
· Ada Community Library, Boise, Idaho
· Barclay Public Library, Warrensburg, Ill.
· Zion-Benton Public Library, Zion, Ill.
· Marion Public Library, Marion, Ind.
· Washington County Free Library, Hagerstown, Md.
· Peabody Institute Library, Peabody, Mass.
· Brighton District Library, Brighton, Mich.
· Stair Public Library, Morenci, Mich.
· Beverly Free Library, Beverly, N.J.
· Fanwood Memorial Library, Fanwood, N.J.
· East Meadow Public Library, East Meadow, N.Y.
· Florida Public Library, Florida, N.Y.
· Freeport Memorial Library, Freeport, N.Y.
· Western Sullivan Public Library, Jeffersonville, N.Y.
· Carteret County Public Library, Beaufort, N.C.
· Transylvania County Library, Brevard, N.C.
· Martin Memorial Library, Williamston, N.C.
· Mechanicsburg Public Library, Mechanicsburg, Ohio
· Canby Public Library, Canby, Ore.
· Cottage Grove Public Library, Cottage Grove, Ore.
· Abington Community Library, Clarks Summit, Pa.
· McCormick County Library, McCormick, S.C.
· Bedford Public Library System, Bedford, Va.
· Chesterfield County Public Library, Chesterfield, Va.
· Kenosha Public Library, Kenosha, Wis.
For inspiration and resources to support humanities programs for public audiences of all ages that feature the Picturing America collection, all public libraries are invited to visit
Picturing America, an initiative of NEH, has provided masterpieces of American art to more than 50,000 classrooms and libraries nationwide. Through the program, students and citizens gain a deeper appreciation of our country’s history and character through the study and understanding of its art. For more information about Picturing America, including a list of the schools and libraries selected to participate, visit .
The 91´«Ã½ Public Programs Office promotes cultural and community programming as an essential part of library service in all types and sizes of libraries. Successful library programming initiatives have included “Let’s Talk About It” reading and discussion series, traveling exhibitions, film discussion programs, the Great Stories CLUB, Live! @ your library and more. Recently, the 91´«Ã½ Public Programs Office developed , an online resource center bringing librarians timely and valuable information to support them in the creation of high-quality cultural programs for their communities. For more information on the 91´«Ã½ Public Programs Office, visit .

Contact:

Angela Thullen