![]() National Endowment for the Humanities Offers Free Classic Books to Libraries Through the We The People Bookshelf Program WASHINGTON (Sept. 18, 2006)–The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) today announced the fourth annual We the People Bookshelf, a program that offers sets of classic books to 2,000 community and school libraries throughout the United States. Recipients of the NEH awards program will receive a collection of 15 classics which were selected to illustrate this year's theme, "The Pursuit of Happiness." The We the People Bookshelf is part of NEH's We the People program designed to strengthen the teaching, study, and understanding of American history and culture. Again this year, NEH has partnered with the American Library Association (ALA) to distribute a set of books, posters, and educational CDs to 2,000 selected libraries that offer the best programs for young readers using the awarded materials. "These classic books are rich in stories about individuals who embrace the 'unalienable' right of free people–the pursuit of happiness, a phrase written indelibly in the Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson," said NEH Chairman Bruce Cole. "Young readers will find in these books the spirit of hope that has contributed to the growth and strength of our great nation and its citizens for more than two hundred years." The We the People Bookshelf on "The Pursuit of Happiness" features the following books for 2007:
As a bonus, each library receiving a We the People Bookshelf set will receive a music CD, Happy Land: Musical Tributes to Laura Ingalls Wilder. Libraries wishing to participate in the We the People Bookshelf program can find more information and application instructions online at www.neh.gov. Applications can be submitted from Sept. 19, 2006, through Jan. 31, 2007. Media Contact: Michele Soulé at 202-606-8454 |