The September Project Blog

Human Rights in the Age of Terrorism

2006-09-19T14:34:00.000-07:00

The Edina Public Library had a combined September Project and Great Decisions program on September 11. There were close to 80 people in attendance for "Human Rights in the Age of Terrorism". The topic included so many issues that the discussion could have continued much beyond the allotted time period. The program was presented twice, at 4 pm and again at 6 pm as there had been so much interest prior to this occasion. Tom Hanson, a retired foreign service officer with the U.S. State Department and a library neighbor is a frequent and very popular speaker at these meetings.
I'm heartened by the local interest in issues of the day and the dedication of citizens to learn more and to discuss their ideas and concerns. This is one way to contribute and be responsible as we try to understand the paths our country is taking and how these relate to the global community. I'm so proud of Sarah and David for the creativity and ability to communicate their ideas and enthusiasm not only to the people in the United States but the entire world. Their idea of not telling each library what should be presented but empowering them to use their own creativity as appropriate to their community was brilliant. I guess I can say that as Sarah's Mom. :)

the september project continues in singapore

2006-09-17T14:44:00.000-07:00

Singapore's National Library Board is contributing to The September Project with a wonderful effort to collect young peoples' ideas:

Here in Singapore, the NLB wants you to write about literacy or peace or how literacy can bring about peace. If you’re not good with words, use any medium you are comfortable with to spread the message. Selected entries will be shared digitally with an international audience. The Top 3 entries will stand to win attractive NLB limited edition collectibles!

David and I were asked to offer comments on submissions as they come in, and are excited to share the first few we've received.

This is an impressive original artwork with the artist's statement to the right. Nice job!

This thoughtful submission succinctly expresses what many people, even those living in America, contend with when considering the events of 9/11.

To learn more about this project, visit the YouthSG blog and be sure to share your comments!

SHARE your thoughts!

2006-09-11T18:53:00.000-07:00

There are so many events going on today, tomorrow, days past, and future, and I hope everyone is experiencing good turnouts and is pleased with the results of their programs.

A request: please share what happened at your event, either here or on the listserv!

september project events in argentina, italy, and peru

2006-09-11T11:12:00.000-07:00

from ana a. chiesa, coordinator of proyecto CIBA in córdoba, argentina:

from patrizia gaggero, of biblioteca berio, in genova, italy:

and from roberto bustamante, coordinator of the cholonautas project, in lima, peru:

http://www.cholonautas.edu.pe/wordpress/2006/09/11/11-de-setiembre-cinco-anos-despues/

The September Project in WIRED Magazine

2006-09-08T16:06:00.000-07:00

The September Project is publicized in a variety of media outlets, in a variety of ways. We're always excited to see how librarians and others get the word out, and wanted to share this advertisement that's getting a lot of buzz--the latest issue of WIRED Magazine included The September Project in its monthly calendar!

singapore and the september project

2006-09-06T15:26:00.000-07:00

there is something quite exciting about collaborating with singapore's national library board (or NLB).

for the third straight year, NLB libraries will participate in the september project. this year, all 22 singaporean public libraries, which includes both regional libraries and community libraries, have joined the project. in other words, the september project can be found across the whole country!

for over two years, sarah and i have corresponded and collaborated with ivan chew, a librarian with NLB, an internationally known blogger, and an extremely creative thinker. in 2004, ivan put together a pictures of peace contest for library patrons. in 2005, ivan worked with beverly holmes hughes at sugar grove public library in illinois to have a live cross-country chat between youth on september 11.

this year, the project grows. organized by wei lin (NLB's adult & young peoples' services librarian), julian lim (youth portal manager of Youth.SG), and ivan, their september project events ask youth to express themselves:

Here in Singapore, the NLB wants you think write about literacy or peace or how literacy can bring about peace. If you’re not good with words, use any medium you are comfortable with to spread the message. Selected entries will be shared digitally with an international audience. The Top 3 entries will stand to win attractive NLB limited edition collectibles!

(they have even designed a great poster for the event.)

Youth.SG, a blog for singapore youth, will host much of the creative content (and already have begun to generate fascinating posts) and we here at the september project blog will also showcase some of the work of the youth.

this project really excites me for many reasons. here's a few:

too often, adults ask youth to create - but we ask them to create within a narrow set of media, usually a written essay. wei, julian, and ivan are way ahead of us - they smartly encourage youth to express themselves in the medium of their choosing: they can post to their blogs, upload to youtube, or send NLB the url of a web site; they can design digital artifacts like jpegs, 3G mobile phone clips, or MP3s; they can write on postcards, paper, scrapes of paper, or anything that can be digitally scanned or photographed. bravo!
september project events are local events - they are civic events, usually hosted by a public, academic, or school library, that address an issue or set of issues relevant to that particular community, town, or city. what NLB is doing, however, is national. this year's events in singapore represent, i believe, the first attempt to organize september project events on a national level. the fact that this is happening in singapore is a factor of the geographic size of the country. yet another - and more important - factor seems to be that NLB is an effective, creative, and flexible library system.
i think it's great that the focus of the events is global. NLB's events encourage youth to express their own feelings and ideas about topics that transcend national borders. it seems to me that imagination is what's needed most these days and when youth are encouraged to imagine - and to imagine across borders - positive things happen.

sarah and i have never met ivan, wei, and julian - but it sure is nice to call them friends and collaborators. i look forward to the day when we get to meet face to face.

Art to Learn From: the Lithgow Public Library

2006-08-30T09:26:00.000-07:00

Want to start a conversation around people who made a difference? Go to the Lithgow Public Library in Augusta, Maine from September 5th to September 18th and view the exhibit, "Americans Who Tell the Truth."

This is no ordinary art exhibit. On display will be a selection of portraits from Robert Shetterly's series of important Americans in history "who have shown great courage and conviction in standing up for what they believe in."

This is no ordinary list of people. From Harriet Tubman, to Susan B. Anthony, to lesser known, but important figures such as Ossie Davis and Harry Hay, these portraits will spark conversation and create moments where new perspectives are shared.

What I love about this exhibit is that is has the potential to make people consider different perspectives, to think about what and who they admire, and to realize that much can be learned from people who possess differing views--and that's what makes our country great.

Learn more about this impressive event by visiting the Lithgow Public Library's web site and also make sure to visit Robert Shetterly's web site.

The people of Augusta, Maine are lucky to have such an impressive exhibit on display in their community.

students making media about september 11 - and talking about the media they made on september 11 - at depauw university

2006-08-28T11:36:00.000-07:00

i've never met kevin howley, an associate professor of media studies at depauw university in indiana, but his book, community media: people, places, and communication technologies, is on my read-this-book-asap list.

on monday, september 11, 2006 at 4 pm in the peeler auditorium on the depauw university campus, a video memorial produced by and featuring depauw university students will be shown with a moderated discussion to follow. here's the press release:

Student Video, "The September Project," Premieres at DePauw University on 9/11 Anniversary

GREENCASTLE, IN. -- August 28, 2006 -- "The September Project," a video memorial produced by and featuring DePauw University students, will have its world premiere on the fifth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.

Produced in conjunction with DePauw's Roy O. West Library, "The September Project" features student recollections of the events of 9/11. Undergraduates also discuss how America has changed in the five years since the terrorist attacks and consider the role of the public library in democratic societies.

"The September Project" was one of several video projects-including public service announcements, advertisements, "man on the street"-style interviews, and news features-produced by students enrolled in DePauw's First Year Seminar, "Video as Cultural Politics."

According to project supervisor, Dr. Kevin Howley, associate professor of media studies at DePauw University, "The September Project" had enormous educational value. "Aside from providing a hands-on lesson in video production, students came away from this project with a greater understanding of video's capacity to promote dialogue and debate. Students came to appreciate the value of community video in amplifying voices, opinions and perspectives that are rarely heard in mainstream media."

"The September Project" gets its name from a grassroots effort to encourage communities, in conjunction with local libraries, to provide a forum for people to discuss a host of issues: democracy, war and peace, terrorism, militarism, religion, and conflict resolution.

The September Project will foster civic events around the world on September 11th such as poetry readings, film screenings, art competitions, public lectures and community forums. The September Project events are designed to bring people into their local libraries and get them talking about important issues in politics, culture and religion in a safe and civil manner.

"The September Project" will be screened on Monday, September 11, 2006 at 4PM in the Peeler Auditorium on the DePauw University campus. A moderated discussion will follow. Admission is free and the public is welcome.

Contact:

Dr. Kevin Howley
Associate Professor of Media Studies
DePauw University
(765) 658-4491

i love this september project event!

i love how the event engages university students - and the greater university community - with media made by students. i love how the media text under discussion was made by students enrolled in a first year seminar called "video as cultural politics." bravo!

september 11 in wayne, michigan

2006-08-23T13:29:00.000-07:00

an engaging set of events on september 11 and throughout the month of september at wayne public library, in wayne, michigan:

On September 11, 2006 at 8:00 a.m., the community and civic leaders of Wayne will hold a service of reflection at the Veterans Peace Memorial located at the Wayne Public Library. Police, fire, city officials, local churchs, community leaders and the members of the local high school will participate in this ceremony. All citizens are invited to attend.

Throughout the month of September the library will also display book, dvds, and other related materials in our showcases and throughout the library.

We will be having programs for adults, teens, and children.

The adult program will feature guest speakers relating their personal immigration stories. The children's program will include screening the Reading Rainbow film "Watch the Stars Come Out" based on the book by the same name. Participants will talk about what it might be like to come to America from another country and work with their parents on a simple family tree project.

Teens will be making paper peace cranes for display in the library throughout September.

Our library newsletter includes information on all these programs and will be delivered to every home and business in our city, and everyone is invited to attend these free programs.

i think it's great how wayne public library:

reaches out to so many diverse segments of wayne: police, fire, city officials, local churchs, community leaders, and members of the local high school;
involves a local high school! how cool is that?
designs programs for three audiences: adults, teens, and children.
couples a major event on september 11 with activities that take place throughout the month of september.

a truly civic event coming from wayne public library.

Kids tackling big ideas in Middletown, CT

2006-08-08T21:21:00.000-07:00

Russell Library, in Middletown, CT, is organizing a September Project event that focuses on a segment of our population often left behind when important topics surface: children and teens.

Together with the Middletown Rotary Club and The Middletown Press, they are co-sponsoring a creative writing contest for kids grades 1-8. Participants are asked to focus on the theme of "America and the World for Me."

Specifically they are asked to:

Think what our country and the world mean to you. Think how America and the world are always changing. Think of unity, tolerance and understanding. What does this mean for you and your family, for your friends and your school? Your writing can be about the past, present – or even the future!

This event gets even better. Art Meyers--librarian and mind behind this event--has incorporated the results of this effort into a program on September 11th, where the winners of this contest read their essays aloud to an audience of community members. I love this idea. What a tremendous way to show that the community values the perspectives of this age group, and what a thrill for those kids to be involved in such a program!

Did I mention that winners also get a gift certificate to a local book store? How great is that? To learn more, check out the event page on their web site.

bedford public library system and kitsap regional library

2006-08-07T11:55:00.000-07:00

within the last 24 hours, two library systems have signed up to participate in the september project.

from bedford, virginia, all 6 libraries of the bedford public library system - bedford central, big island, forest, moneta/sml, montvale, and stewartsville - have signed up to participate.

and from kitsap county, washington, all 9 libraries of kitsap regional library - bainbridge island, downtown bremerton, kingston, little boston, manchester, port orchard, poulsbo, silverdale, and sylvan way - have signed up to participate.

their events sound excellent:

"We, The People" is the theme for our 2006 September Project (our first!) We are hiring a company called Living Voices in Seattle to do nine productions in each of our libraries on topics ranging from the Swedish Immigrant Experience in the Northwest to the Native American government-run schools. The aim of the series is to acknowledge and honor the diversity that IS our history and our present.

proyecto CIBA

2006-08-06T09:16:00.000-07:00

if i could have any new media, i would ask for software that generates perfect language translations.

on friday, el centro de investigación biblioteca y aula, or proyecto CIBA, in córdoba, argentina, signed up for the september project. using the describa su evento page, librarian ana ángela chiesa described what proyecto CIBA was developing:

CIBA es un centro de investigación de Proyectos que desarrollen habilidades en información y promocionen el libro y la lectura.

Planeamos para el próximo mes de Septiembre desarrollar un taller con alumnos de escuelas rurales de la zona de influencia que hemos llamado: "TODO LO QUE NO SABEMOS SOBRE EL LIBRO." Este taller tiene los siguientes contenidos: Historia del libro. Distintos soportes de la palabra hasta llegar al libro. Partes de un libro. Uso de Índices, tablas de materia (y mucho más...). El taller tiene caracter lúdico.

Dirigido a alumnos de 4to, 5to y 6to (Educación General Básica, segúen el modelo educativo Argentino) (último ciclo de Escuela primaria)

using google's language tools, i cut-and-pasted the event description and it generated this:

CIBA is a research center of Projects that develop abilities in information and promote the book and the reading.

We glided for the next month of September to develop a factory with students of rural schools of the zone of influence that we have called: “EVERYTHING WHAT WE DO NOT KNOW ON THE BOOK.” This factory has the following contents: History of the book. Different supports from the word until arriving at the book. Parts of a book. Use of Indices, tables of matter (and much more…). The factory has playful character.

Directed to students of 4to, 5to and 6to (General Education Básica, segúen the Argentine educative model) (last cycle of primary School)

(altavista's babelfish, generated an extremely similar translation.)

question: what does the word taller mean in spanish? is it a workshop? a curriculum? is it what google and babelfish say it is - a factory?

i think this event is beautiful. it is not exactly an event, but more like a series of events that take place in classrooms, or, a curriculum - the first curriculum, i believe, that has been associated with the september project. i love how it is directed at children. i love the interesting topics it teaches. and i love how it is being designed for students at rural schools in argentina.

chicago public library

2006-08-01T20:43:00.000-07:00

today we received an email from craig l. davis, director of adult services of chicago public library. his email said that for the second straight year all 79 branches of the chicago public library would be participating in the september project.

i had heard about chicago public library's commitment to civic engagement long before they began participating in the september project. i learned about it from sarah, who had read robert d. putnam and lewis feldstein's book, better together: restoring the american community, which features a chapter on chicago public library and the ways the librarians engage their diverse communities.

i am not sure what the chicago public library will be doing for their september project events but i'm sure it will be engaging. in the meantime, i like looking at the map and seeing the chicagoland area filled with pins marking libraries like the bensenville community public library, clarendon hills public library, hammond public library, indian prairie public library, morton grove public library, roselle public library, and the massively distributed chicago public library system.

OPAL event on The September Project

2006-07-31T17:31:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, David, Mike Baldwin (a September Project Board member and Library Director at Benbrook Library District), and I participated in an engaging discussion about The September Project and civic participation in libraries around the world.

Masterfully moderated by Taylor Willingham (Coordinator of Texas Forums and an international expert in deliberative democracy), she deftly encouraged all participants to type or voice their comments, allowing everyone to share their ideas and contribute to the stimulating conversation. Many creative ideas surfaced, and one in particular--global collaborations--got me thinking.

For our part, we've facilitated collaborations as libraries express interest, and using our listserv and e-mail, we've encouraged all kinds of collaborations between libraries. In the past, inspired collaborations between libraries using free chat software or sharing programs across branches and systems have taken place. AND, this September, using OPAL, the Bensenville Community Library is hosting an event open to all. (Check it out!)

But one librarian wanted to know if there were more formal channels for facilitating collaborations between September Project participants. This is a great point, and worth exploring. So far, we haven't initated any formal channels, and I'd love to hear more ideas on this topic. If you have ideas about how to spark, capture, and initiate more collaborations between libraries, let's get the conversations started! Please leave comments on on the blog, or share your ideas on the listserv, or e-mail us.

There's so much more to talk about, but why don't you listen and watch for youself! The program archive can be found in many formats on the OPAL site.

mesa county libraries

2006-07-31T16:57:00.000-07:00

two days ago, on saturday, i received an email from emilie satterwhite of mesa county libraries in grand junction, colorado. she emailed to say that all eight mesa county libraries - central library, clifton branch, collbran branch, de beque branch, fruita branch, gateway branch, orchard mesa branch, and palisade branch - would be participating in the september project.

their events - some planned, some being planned - offer something for everyone. as emilie wrote:

i think it's great how they fuse the september project, constitution day, and banned books week together. and, like the september project events at the birmingham public library system, mesa county libraries' events will take place all across the county.

what i find particularly interesting about mesa county libraries is the way in which the library district covers both city and rural areas. and judging from the extremely filled calendar of events and programs at mesa county libraries - including events for youth, teens, and adults - it appears that the librarians are quite busy serving their multiple communities. it's also great to see much of their web site in spanish. just as mesa county is diverse in terms of physical landscape, so is mesa county libraries diverse in terms of cultural and intellectual programs and events.

birmingham public library system

2006-07-29T19:45:00.000-07:00

yesterday, i received an email from barbara sirmans, director of the birmingham public library. she emailed to say that eleven birmingham public libraries would be participating in the september project. from a distance, high above the state of alabama, this is what they look like on our map of participating libraries:

barbara also emailed to say that two libraries - central and pratt city branch - would be participating with window displays and that nine libraries - avondale regional branch, east lake branch, eastwood branch, inglenook branch, north avondale branch, north birmingham regional branch, southside branch, springville road regional branch, and titusville branch - would be participating with book displays.

library systems allow programs, resources, and services to be geographically distributed across a town, city, or county. instead of asking residents to leave their neighborhoods and assemble in a single, centralized location (town hall, a civic center, a central library), library systems offer resources, programs, and displays for people in the neighborhoods in which they live. the result is a more decentralized (and often more relevant) series of programs.

new american libraries

2006-07-26T13:01:00.000-07:00

yesterday, seven libraries from six different states signed up to participate:

arkansas

d.w.reynolds library and technology center

california

irwindale public library

florida

american intercontinental university south florida campus library

new york

voorheesville public library

rhode island

james p. adams library

texas

little elm public library

weatherford public library

hopefully, by the time september arrives, events will take place in libraries in all 50 states - plus washington dc.

emory university, robert w. woodruff library, and good night and good luck

2006-07-25T12:55:00.000-07:00

for the second straight year, emory university's robert w. woodruff library will be participating in the september project. their event is perfect:

We will screen Good Night and Good Luck, a film that, in its look at domestic events of the Cold War / McCarthy era, addresses a variety of issues which continue to resonate today and raises important questions regarding civil liberties, democracy, the creation and dissemination of news, and the requirements of active citizenship. Professor Harvey Klehr will provide opening remarks, and there will be an audience discussion at the conclusion of the film. One DVD copy of Good Night and Good Luck will be given away as a door prize.

many american academics, myself included, are quite nervous about our students' lack of historical knowledge. a few years ago, in a 450-student class, i asked my students if they knew what the cold war was. 4-5 students raised their hands. i'm not joking. personally, i think it's a great idea to engage college students via film - especially a film that includes george clooney! - and i am particularly excited to learn that the audience discussion will be led by harvey klehr, an andrew w. mellon professor of politics and history. plus, some lucky attendee will receive a free DVD of the film!

the september project in sixteen countries

2006-07-07T11:27:00.000-07:00

in the last few weeks, the september project has grown significantly more global. two weeks ago, libraries in 10 countries were planning september project events. today, events are being planned in 16 countries.

from canada, west vancouver memorial library (in west vancouver, british columbia) and chinook regional library: swift current branch (in swift current, saskatchewan), both 2005 september project participants, have signed up again this year.

from costa rica, the university for peace library (in san jose) has recently become the first costa rican library to participate in the september project. (the united nations-mandated university of peace was established in 1980 with the following mission: "to provide humanity with an international institution of higher education for peace with the aim of promoting among all human beings the spirit of understanding, tolerance and peaceful coexistence, to stimulate cooperation among peoples and to help lessen obstacles and threats to world peace and progress, in keeping with the noble aspirations proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations.")

from greece, the athens university of economics & business library (in athens) will be participating again this year.

from iceland, kopavogur public library: lindasafn branch library (in kopavogur) signed up to participate again this year.

from india, the amity campus jaipur library (in jaipur, rajasthan) and the NIILM center for management studies library (in new delhi) have signed up. in an email, jitender sharma, librarian and marketing manager at NIILM-CMS library wrote: "Our library will always be willing to be a part of this project."

from israel, the pamela and stanley chais public library (in mevasseret - zion) and the university of haifa library (in haifa) have joined the september project.

we look forward to watching the project grow around the planet.

goffstown public library

2006-06-30T11:49:00.000-07:00

this morning, goffstown public library, in goffstown, new hampshire, signed up to participate in the september project. two librarians, jessica stevens and sandra whipple, are organizing the events and they've already posted a web page for their september project events!

their events include two september 11-related films (the guys and seven days in september: a powerful story about 9/11 - both from 2002) and a lecture titled "civil liberties vs. security in post 9-11 america" featuring richard hesse, professor emeritus at franklin pierce law center.

the other element of their events, called "wishes for our world," is really quite stunning. quoting from their web site:

As we approach the fifth anniversary of 9/11, we would like to help the community remember the events of that tragic day, as well as the more than 3,000 people who lost their lives. Wishes for our world will be an opportunity for citizens of all ages to stop and reflect on their hopes for our world of today and their dreams for our world of tomorrow.

Beginning on September 1st, we will ask local businesses and community organizations to make available pre-cut stars, provided by the library, upon which children and adults may express their Wishes For Our World. Our goal is for the community to complete 3,000 stars and 3,000 wishes, representing the lives lost on 9/11. As the stars are completed between September 1st and September 11th, we will display them throughout the community; on walls, windows, etc.

i've never had the pleasure to visit the state of new hampshire but when i do i'll be sure to visit goffstown and the goffstown public library.

college + community = smart civic engagement (lawrence, kansas, usa)

2006-06-27T09:07:00.000-07:00

if you plan to be in or near lawrence, kansas, between september 11-17, 2006, please consider attending some or all of the following september project events:

Surveillance and Society Post-9/11
Monday, Sept 11, 7 pm
Lawrence Public Library Auditorium

Professor Mike Hoeflich of the University of Kansas School of Law will lead a discussion pertaining to individuals' rights and group responsibility. Special emphasis will be placed on surveillance changes and whether citizens' rights are being trounced by a post-9/11 mentality of security over freedom. Professor Hoeflich will speak for twenty minutes and then lead a discussion/question and answer period for another forty. Professor Hoeflich is a former dean of the Law School and is a noted columnist for the Lawrence Journal-World.

Religious Cooperation in an Uncooperative World
Tuesday, September 12, 7 pm
Lawrence Public Library

The United States seems to have become increasingly divided with each passing year since September 11, 2001. In a time of divisiveness, learn how radically different religious groups are working together to cultivate peace through building interfaith relationships, fostering understanding and appreciation of differences, and creating opportunities for leadership in local communities. Join us for a panel presentation followed by an audience discussion. We will seek to identify concrete strategies for interfaith cooperation that every person can take back to her or his faith community.

International Perspectives on the Post-9/11 U.S.
Wednesday, September 13, 7 pm
Lawrence Public Library Auditorium

Five international students will offer diverse views on the September 11th attack in the United States. The panelists will share their personal experiences and inner feelings about life in the United States after 9/11 as citizens of their respective countries. Through dialogue, all in attendance will develop a deeper understanding of the global impact of 9/11.

You Be the Judge: The United States Supreme Court in Review
Sunday, September 17, 2:30 pm
Lawrence Public Library Auditorium

On Constitution Day, find out whether you agree with recent decisions by our nation's highest court. Judge Joseph G. Pierron, Kansas Court of Appeals, will lead the group in a re-creation of actual Supreme Court cases, with the audience playing the roles of the litigants, lawyers and judges. You'll have fun as you gain new perspectives on the judicial process and debate rights and responsibilities in America today. Co-sponsored by the Kansas Humanities Council and the Kansas Judiciary and Kansas Bar Association.

i love this september project event for many reasons, including:

it is a collaboration between a public library (lawrence public library) and a university (university of kansas).
lawrence public library's efforts are being coordinated by maria butler, the community relations/volunteer coordinator. judging from the library's events calendar, it seems as though lawrence public library takes community engagement very seriously.
it involves students. for three straight years, KU students have designed awesome september project events. this year, four graduate students - noelle barrick, shannon portillo, michael sweeney, and megan williams - and one undergraduate - julian portillo - are making things happen. i believe most (all?) of the students are in american studies, but i could be wrong.
it features a) experts from b) the community. for example: the panel on the supreme court features judge joseph g. pierron, kansas court of appeals; the panel on surveillance features professor mike hoeflich, university of kansas school of law; and, in a stroke of brilliance, the panel on international perspectives on post-9/11 united states features five international students currently attending university of kansas.
collaborating organizations include local and state organizations. in addition to the lawrence public library and university of kansas, collaborators include the kansas humanities council, the kansas judiciary, and the kansas bar association.
and finally, because it takes place in a public library, the event is free and open to the public. put another way, anyone can participate in - and everyone is invited to - these interesting and inspired events.

way to go lawrence, kansas!

grow globally

2006-06-16T12:23:00.000-07:00

this is the third year of the september project. TSP is many things but the most simple definition we like to use is this:

The September Project encourages free and public events in all libraries in all countries on or around September 11.

one of the most exciting elements of the project is the speed by which it has developed nationally and internationally. in each of its first two years, september project events took place in all 50 states. since 2004, more than 1,100 libraries in 34 countries have hosted september project events. this year, libraries in 10 countries have signed up to participate and we are not even in july yet!

in spring, when john klockner, sarah washburn, and i began meeting to discuss this year's september project, we agreed that in order to make our site as accessible as possible, it had to be in multiple languages. with help from current and former university of washington students aljosa corovic, mark hungerford, jen rosenberg, and grace zhang, through financial help from microsoft research (which allowed us to get excellent translation help from sinometrics incorporated), and through some pretty visionary work by klockner, the september project is now accessible in chinese, english, french, german, italian, japanese, portuguese, russian, serbian, spanish, and turkish.

unfortunately, most computers, including the laptop i'm currently working on, do not have the correct fonts to read all languages, especially chinese and japanese. so i am unsure whether or not you, reader, will be able to read all of the characters below. it's certainly worth trying:

九月项目9: 月11日，在全世界范围内鼓励民间活动的开展

le Projet Septembre: organise des événements civiques à propos du 11 septembre dans le monde entier

Das September-Projekt: Weltweite Förderung von öffentlichen Events am 11. September

セプテンバープロジェクト 9月11日、世界中で執り行われる市民のイベントを促進

Progetto Settembrea: sostegno di punti di incontro in tutto il mondo l'11 settembre

Projeto setembro: promovendo eventos cívicos em todo o mundo no dia 11 de setembro

ПРОЕКТ «Сентябрь» инициирование гражданских мероприятий во всём мире 11 сентября

Септембар Пројекат: Подстрекује догаћаје посвећене грађанској иницијативи широм света 11. Септембра

el proyecto septiembre: promueve las actividades cívicas en todo el mundo el 11 de septiembre

Eylül Projesi: 11 Eylül’de dünyanın her tarafında kamusal programlar teşvik ediyor

the September Project: fostering civic events around the world on September 11

when working on things like the september project, you quickly learn that the project can - and will - develop in directions you never imagined. that said, i hope the september project will continue to grow globally and introduce itself to libraries and communities around the world.

walserbibliothek raggal

2006-06-14T10:57:00.000-07:00

for the last few months, i've had the pleasure to work with jen rosenberg, an undergraduate here at the university of washington. before coming to UW, jen lived in austria and attended the university of vienna. next year, jen will leave UW to attend the university of iowa. through an independent study, it's been a joy to work with and learn from jen.

jen began her work by translating much of the september project into german. what an interesting feeling to see Das September-Projekt: Weltweite Förderung von öffentlichen Events am 11. September on our web site! next, jen began contacting librarians in austria and germany.

jen and i were extremely thrilled when walserbibliothek raggal signed up to participate in this year's september project. walserbibliothek raggal is located in raggal, which is a community of almost 900 people in the austrian alps. a few years ago, due to financial constraints, the library almost closed. fortunately, the entire community got together to fight for the library's existence. today, there are 12 volunteers helping to manage and maintain the library. also, the library is currently putting together a collection of articles from the local newspaper in order to compile a history of this very small town/village for members of their community.

walserbibliothek raggal is a public library and it has a playroom designed for children filled with children's books, DVDs, and CDs. judging from this photograph, it appears that the room is also used for exciting story times!

for jen, originally from vienna and currently in seattle, it must be a thrill to see walserbibliothek raggal on our map of participating libraries. for me, currently in seattle but often dreaming of the austrian alps, it certainly is a thrill.

danke walserbibliothek raggal. danke jen.

qatar university library

2006-06-05T18:30:00.000-07:00

a week ago, qatar university library signed up to participate in this year's september project. this is quite exciting for many reasons.

let's back up a little. for the last two quarters, mark hungerford, a phd student in communication at the university of washington, has worked as my research assistant. before going to graduate school, mark spent four years in turkey teaching english. before coming to UW, he earned his MA in journalism and middle eastern studies from the university of texas, where he wrote his thesis on how the news media portray religious people, particularly muslims and christians. mark is a serious scholar and is currently researching stereotypes and the construction of identity, especially national and religious identity.

for the last two quarters, mark has been teaching me about turkey, turkish culture, and middle eastern culture. it was mark who translated the september project into turkish. and it was mark who recently began contacting librarians in turkey, as well as in egypt, qatar, and saudia arabia. traditionally, research assistantships are opportunities where graduate students learn from professors; in this case, mark and i learned from each other.

what a thrill it was, last week, to open my email and see that qatar university library signed up to participate in this year's september project. what a thrill to learn that dalia gohary, a librarian at qatar university library, is considering a september project event that would celebrate qatar independence day (which is september 3). what a thrill to communicate and collaborate with librarians, professors, and students at a university i've never visited in a country i've never been to.

everytime a new library joins the september project, i can't help to feel that this big ball called earth gets a little bit smaller.

ballard public library

2006-05-17T12:31:00.000-07:00

via waterboro (maine) public library's blog, i learned that my local library, ballard public library, was chosen as one of the american institute for architecture's top ten green buildings of 2006. rock on ballard public library! one of the best things about living in ballard is its library, an inspirational space and the true heart of the community.

powerful libraries

2006-04-25T22:23:00.000-07:00

On a recent library listserv, a librarian's signature file caught my eye and made me smile:

Delphi Public Library, a small but powerful library :)

It made me smile, just thinking how true this statement probably is. I've never visited this particular library, but I've walked through countless doors of small libraries, talked to plenty of librarians, and admired the impact small libraries make on their communities. I believe the Delphi Public Library is a small and powerful library.

It's a compelling and catchy phrase--especially with the playful emoticon--and it's one that will stay with me, even if I never walk through the doors of this particular library.

new look, new site, new languages, new year

2006-04-08T20:06:00.000-07:00

it has been some time since i last posted, and i have a good excuse for it: the september project team has been busy.

we've learned so much from libraries over the past two years, and are now pleased to announce that we've implemented their ideas on our new web site!

there are so many improvements to the site, but the one that's piquing my interest right now is a feature that isn't yet done, yet will emerge over time. to reach libraries across the globe, volunteers--mostly david's students--have been working busily to translate our site into as many languages as possible. translating the site has been a dream of ours, and we're so thrilled that talented people are willing to offer their language skills to reach that goal. so far, the site is in english and chinese, and soon you'll see german, serbian, and turkish.

please visit the site often to watch the flags on the home page increase over time, marking the number of languages our volunteers complete.

david cole's talk

2005-09-22T14:50:00.000-07:00

monday night i sat in the audience at the seattle central public library to hear david cole, georgetown university professor, speak about constitutional law. admittedly, i don't know a lot about the constitution, so i learned quite a bit. of particular note was his discussion of laws that have tightened civil liberties the past century, and how major events, like wars, have largely impacted the reason for such legislation. cole's discussion was smart, compelling, and his usage of real examples of how laws have affected real people made his points even more clear and relevant.

after his talk, there was a short question and answer period, in which a person asked a common yet important question, "what can we do?" cole answered that we should exercise our rights. he believed that "speaking up with other citizens through organizations" is an important way everyone can make an impact. he continued, by admitting that this type of public gathering happening across the country (and beyond!) is a reason to be encouraged.

so for all of the people engaging at libraries across the world, david cole salutes you!

timely event on supreme court nomination hearings

2005-09-16T05:44:00.000-07:00

we continue to hear from libraries about the types of events they are offering. i just received an e-mail from the university of wisconsin-eau claire library describing their timely event:

On September 20, UW-Eau Claire will host a roundtable discussion, "Constitutional Law for a Changing Supreme Court." The roundtable will feature short presentations by three faculty members from the history and political science departments. They will discuss how John Roberts and a President Bush-nominated associate justice could impact constitutional law in cases involving the First Amendment, privacy, criminal rights and federalism. The panel will provide a historical perspective on the sometimes contentious nomination process of a Supreme Court justice. There also will be a question and answer period with the panel.

the project continues...

2005-09-15T08:48:00.000-07:00

this year, a number of events take place after september 11. this evolution of the project mirrors our original hope that free and public events about freedom and democracy would occur throughout the month or--even better--throughout the year! in the seattle area, events are scheduled throughout september and october; i'm going to try to attend as many as i can.

keep checking back to hear more about the cool stuff going on!

guest entry: sarah's mom!

2005-09-13T23:14:00.000-07:00

being the proud mom of sarah has gotten me pretty excited about the september project. this year I decided to go to several libraries and it was amazing to see the different strategies each used for their session. i guess that’s the part that really turns me on... each library designs their own event according to the community they represent.

on SATURDAY, september 10, i attended a showing of the movie, “the cost of freedom, civil liberties, security and the us patriot act" at the southdale branch of the hennepin county library in edina, mn. the movie highlighted the tensions between civil liberties and security that have arisen since the patriot act was passed in 2001. over thirty people attended the screening, and over half of that number stayed for a discussion afterwards. all ages represented which made the discussion lively and interesting in that so many different perspectives and experiences were shared.

on MONDAY afternoon, september 12, the edina branch of the hennepin county libraries, presented great decisions: the us and global poverty as part of their september project. over 75 were in attendance and many stayed for a discussion and question and answer session. interestingly, this monthly gathering began a year ago with a similar lecture and discussion around september 11 for the september project. those attending were so impressed that they asked for more, and the numbers keep growing as programs are presented each month except during the summer. so david and sarah can take credit for an ongoing program in minnesota!
the librarian mentioned that the mother of one of the co-directors of the project was present which was cool. several of the people stopped to talk during a break and said i must be so proud of my daughter......well yeah!

a drive through the minnesota river valley delivered me to gustavus adolphus college in st. peter on MONDAY evening. a gathering in the college library heard a presentation by several professors and a librarian who explored "perspectives on civil liberties in the post-9/11 world”. each person’s view came from her/his own field of expertise and was stimulating and thought provoking. most of the audience were students, and their views and questions were great…..a very informed group! the library has several more programs planned all under the september project heading... i may be doing more driving this fall! after the event i was able to meet the presenters and talk to them about this and future programs they are planning. they all had wonderful and encouraging things to say about the project and also about sarah and david for coming up with the idea! i was so pleased!

packed house at the central library!

2005-09-12T17:57:00.000-07:00

sunday was a busy day, with most events happening in seattle around the same time. i had to leave one event early to arrive late to the post-film discussion of the movie "unconstitutional" at the seattle central library.

i was thrilled to see a packed crowd--around 100!--eagerly raising their hands for the opportunity to learn from an aclu representative. the questions were mostly about legal concerns and citizen's rights.

after the discussion, i had an interesting chat with a friend's mom who was visiting from great britain. she admitted the film and subsequent discussion revealed a side of americans not often exposed in her home country's media.

from the number of people in attendance and the enthusiasm they expressed by queuing up to speak with the aclu rep, i'd say it was a grand success!

interfaith dialog

2005-09-12T11:45:00.000-07:00

as i sit down to describe an event i attended yesterday, the first word that comes to mind is "magical." i participated in an extraordinary exchange; i feel lucky to have been part of it.

the program, called "a faith-based discussion of conflict and humanity," included 4 panelists from the Muslim, Jewish, Christian, and Bahai faiths. each panelist focused on conflict and humanity, yet so much more was expressed and exposed in the 2 hour exchange. there were 30 of us attending at edmonds community college. 30 people learning from the wisdom and generosity expressed by the panelists, and engaging in the warmth and curiosity of the audience.

there were so many lessons to be learned from these wise leaders. at one point i stopped my typical note-taking frenzy, and listened, realizing that true knowledge would seep in without my pen to paper. i still haven't processed all of it, but one thought keeps looping through my brain: "you can only achieve justice justly."

this powerful event is going to stay with me for a long time. i have deep respect for those who organized it, and look forward to future collaborations. thanks to all who were involved.

"changing the world, one friend at a time"

2005-09-11T00:37:00.000-07:00

i just left a multicultural chat with people from libraries in singapore, manilla, and sugar grove, illinois. i arrived late (after midnight!), and was happy to interrupt an active conversation about "how much do we understand each other." participants were teenagers and librarians, and offered a range of perspectives about their personal and world views. when all was said and done, everyone agreed that having an online discussion with people from different countries is a good idea. "just...talking" is a powerful way to learn from each other. ivan summed it up when he offered that they were "changing the world, one friend at a time." i agree.

congratulations to the organizers for this creative and engaging event!

"we have freedom of speech, at least in this room!"

2005-09-10T18:48:00.000-07:00

i'm at a crowded cafe, excited to write about the first event i attended this afternoon. it's a bit surreal, because over the din of the crowd (there's a d.j. here for the ballard art walk), I can hear the couple next to me talking about the seattle central library, and what they think about the "futuristic" design. it seems only right i'm writing about libraries and their place in the community. whether as an architectural destination, or as a place to exchange ideas about issues that matter, libraries evoke different emotions in all of us.

today i attended my first september project event at the ballard library. for their event, the library organized a film screening of the movie "unconstitutional" with an open discussion facilitated by a volunteer for the aclu. there were 32 of us.

the movie covered topics such as the patriot act and immigration issues. republican and democrat legislators, activists, and lawyers presented their perspectives, but the most enlightening stories were from the americans affected by the results of the 9-11 attacks.

the discussion was truly open; the facilitator encouraged attendees to talk about what interested them. it took a bit for the discussion to reach a comfort zone; the shift was marked by a man who requested the group move the chairs into a circle, so we could actually talk to each other and engage. what a difference! it's amazing how physical organization can impact engagement. the group immediately fell into a rhythm where all were able to speak and learn from one another. at one point, someone exclaimed, "we have freedom of speech, at least in this room!"

for all librarians working to maintain free and open access to information, there was a group of people in ballard thanking you for doing what you do.

the impossibility of scheduling.

2005-09-09T16:42:00.000-07:00

procrastination has been the rule when it comes to choosing which events to attend this weekend. there are so many smart and interesting events, it's impossible to fit all of them in. i'm not sure what i'll do!

i just heard about this one at the shoreline library in the seattle area. check it out:

Mahatma Gandhi: Visionary of Our Time
Saturday, September 10, 1pm
For adults and young adults.
Gandhi was an inspirational teacher of love, peace, truth and non-violence as a way of being in the world. Long-time peace activist Bernie Meyer, dressed in traditional dhoti with walking stick, brings you the legendary Mahatma Gandhi. Meyer has performed as Gandhi across the United States and in India. Meyer portrays Gandhi's life in historical context, but also discusses how Gandhi's approach to world peace is relevant today. Gandhi was an inspirational teacher of love, peace, truth and non-violence as a way of being in the world. You won't want to miss this breathtaking performance that makes history come alive.

holy postings!

2005-09-09T16:19:00.000-07:00

for those of you who are members of the project listserv who are a little overwhelmed by the quantity of postings from enthusiastic librarians, hang in there! it's true, the listserv is not normally so active, we're just experiencing some last minute increased activity. we expect the number of e-mails will decrease after the weekend.

so please: if you have unsubscribed to the list, consider re-subscribing after the weekend. i apologize if the increased number of e-mails inconvenienced any of you--it's hard to contain the excitement! :)

chronicle of higher education article

2005-09-09T13:09:00.000-07:00

an article about the september project in the chronicle of higher education is accessible online. http://chronicle.com/free/2005/09/2005090801t.htm

kudos to the libraries the reporter chose to showcase!

Woodburn Public Library
Arizona State University at Tempe: Hayden Library
University of Kansas
University of North Carolina at Wilmington

monthly discussions

2005-09-08T16:10:00.000-07:00

this event is happening in Chardon, Ohio, at the Geauga County Public Library. learning how to "initiate positive change" at the library is tremendous.

An Afternoon of Civil Discourse on September 11

The Library is a place where those of differing opinions can come together to discuss controversial issues and there is no better day on which to do it than September 11. We will hold the first of a monthly series of discussions with Dr. Mike Whitely asking you to "Think Globally, Act Locally about Peace". Dr. Whitely, a professor at Kent State University in Educational Psychology, was in New York at Ground Zero as a fire fighter to help with the rescue efforts. He will demonstrate how you can initiate positive change within your local community and beyond.

The topics for subsequent discussion in the Civil Discourse series will be selected by those who attend. There will be a discussion leader and several invited guests who have expertise or a special interest in the topic. And then we will talk – civilly - and try to understand those who disagree with us, and perhaps reevaluate our own points of view. Refreshments will be served.
Please call Chardon Library to register.
Sunday, September 11, 2:00p.m.

event descriptions make my day

2005-09-08T14:54:00.000-07:00

we are receiving descriptions of events at a rapid pace. my in box is truly a repository of inspiration, creativity, and beauty. the first thing i do when i roll out of bed every morning is wander to my laptop, groggy, yet eager to find out what gems are waiting for me in my in box. to read more about what's putting a smile on my face early in the morning, check out the project event page. i'm updating it as fast as i can!

i've never been to iceland

2005-09-07T09:07:00.000-07:00

i don't know much about iceland. bjork is my only cultural reference to this mysterious place. and now, for the first time in my life, i have corresponded with a person from iceland--a librarian. here is what the Kopavogur library is doing for The September Project:

First of all we will promote the project by describing it, its origin and purpose, on our web-site as well as on posters inside and outside our library.

Secondly, books and other media on the subjects of democracy, freedom of speech, protests and human rights will be on show, as well as a booklet on the Constitution of the Republic of Iceland.

A brochure with a reading list and references to information about the project and its subjects will be produced and made available for the public.

In the Korinn, the multi-purpose room, films will be screened every day of the week between the 9th and the 16th of September at different times of the day.

There will also be a slide-show with photos of protests and demonstrations from various times in history and from various parts of the world.

With greetings from Iceland

libraries as outposts for hope

2005-09-01T16:30:00.000-07:00

amidst all of the tragedy, it is comforting to know that public places still exist to help people with whatever it is they need, whether a good book, internet access, emergency aid, or a friendly face in times of tragedy. the following is an excerpt of a post from a librarian in louisiana that reminds us of the importance of libraries in our communities, and the extent to which librarians serve everyone who walks through library doors. librarians are gems.

The restrooms are popular and we ask only that they tell us when the toilet paper runs low – there is no graffiti worry with this bunch. We ask that they try to get things done in half-hour segments because there’s always a waiting line for one of our eight public access computers. (Thank you Bill Gates and the [Louisiana] State Library technology Aid). And we rap on wood that those eight stay healthy and ready. Our printer cartridge is growing dim, and the new cartridges we ordered are somewhere in transit: we hope not from the New Orleans direction. Tomorrow we need them!

People are filing for FEMA online – that must be one terrific computer system as no one has been frozen out because of overload. We have the only fax machine in town and its fax tone rings constantly…long distance numbers are not answering yet. New Orleans has no communication systems up at all, and Baton Rouge has lost much power and people aren’t in any offices to answer phones or faxes. FEMA literature is printed and copied and piled on the desk, along with Louisiana Unemployment procedures. The list of sheltering facilities and our own (extended) hours, and location is there, too, along with the top three or four sites for information. We are staying open on Sunday and Monday (Labor Day) six hours each as we have the only Internet access available to the general public.

People just sit and talk with each other, and with us, and greet us like old acquaintances when they come back. Two ladies cried today when they left and said they just couldn’t believe what a nice place “we” are. So many people think they have to pay to use the computers and are so happy when they find they don’t have to. People are buying clothing at the Dollar store and at “Fred’s” (local old style 5 & Dime except nothing is five and dime anymore) and the two food stores here are depleted of everything you need to live in a motel room with a microwave or refrigerator. Or without them. Bread just doesn’t stick around. Gas hasn’t spiked up yet, but it will be in high demand as there are many, many more vehicles here now. I filled up for the first time in weeks. I don’t plan to roam far.

teen rights

2005-08-31T16:16:00.000-07:00

this one is good. smart, compelling, and cool. all of the ingredients for a good teen program. rock on!

The September Project meets Teen Read Week!

I'm a teen librarian in Franklin Park, IL, and this year's Teen Read Week theme inspired my idea for our contribution to the September Project. The theme this year is "Get Real," and the September Project part is a display called "Get Real About Your Rights." It will be all about civil liberties and rights and how they do and don't apply to minors--everything from student free speech rights to Title IX to the legality of locker searches, etc., etc. The display (along with a selection of books) will go up on September 10th and stay up through Teen Read Week, October 16-22.

kids around the world

2005-08-30T21:06:00.000-07:00

today i'm gathering event descriptions in preparation for posting them to the web site. the list isn't in any particular order, and when i read a description from israel, and then from tennesee (usa), i was reminded of how special it is that people--in this case, kids--from distant corners of the world will be sharing this day at their neighborhood libraries. children will learn about their rights, read books that were once banned, learn about important historical events, create images of the world at peace, and so much more.

here are the 2 descriptions that inspired me today:

Beit Barbor library (Israel)

We are glad to be a part of this wonderful project. Nice to read the messages and learn from it. We at Beit Barbor public library started the big show. As you know we emphasis on children rights, our graphic department made the "Israel's children rights statement". The statement specifies the rights, for an example: the rights for security, the right for expressing himself and so on. In addition there is a big invitation to the children asking them to create on this matter, to write short stories that explain those rights or to take a picture or to paint. We also address the public elementary school near us; hopefully there will also take a part in this important issue.

Jacksboro Public Library (Tennessee, USA)

Jacksboro Public Library will incorporate two We the People Bookshelf grants into our observance of The September Project 2005. The primary focus will be to gather young people at a public place to share ideas and discuss freedom, democracy, citizenship, and patriotism.

We will have a youth display of all We the People Bookshelf selections on both “Freedom” and “Courage”. We will advertise our observance and displays via distribution of flyers to schools, malls, grocery stores, handouts at the library, and announcements on local radio/TV stations, articles in newspapers and via the library’s web page.

50 states

2005-08-25T23:11:00.000-07:00

today marked a momentus occasion: libraries from all 50 states are now represented on the map of participants. we are SO pleased to welcome libraries from Idaho, Montana, and Nevada! thanks to everyone for their support of the project, and thanks to everyone who posted their event descriptions on the listserv. today was full of activity on the listserv, which is so much fun! look soon to see more events added to the events page on the web site--there's a lot more!

youth programs in colorado

2005-08-25T16:40:00.000-07:00

a library director just shared her library's program for the september project with our project listerv. she introduced her library's plans by saying it's "an idea worth sharing." she's right. here's what she said:

During the week of Sept 11, our youth department will create a bulletin board display with the stripes of the American flag, allowing kids to create their own stars with their wishes for peace and freedom.

i admire the simplicity of this program. kids understand flags, especially their nation's flag, and encouraging them to decorate their flag with thoughts and dreams of peace is truly magical. and important.

illinois, israel, and iceland.

2005-08-24T08:48:00.000-07:00

when i awoke this morning, this is the first stream that entered my mind.

last night i showed the map of participants to a friend and she asked what library the blue pin in the far northern region of the map marked. i enjoyed crying out, "Iceland!" i've received quite a geography lesson this year, and hearing from libraries in such disparate regions like israel and illinois has been (and continues to be) a joy.

all of the event descriptions i've received are now posted on our web site. please check it out! if you don't see your library's event, send a description to info at theseptemberproject.org.

enjoy!

Calling all Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and West Virginia librarians!

2005-08-22T12:52:00.000-07:00

Within the US, the project is growing quickly, and there are participating libraries in 46 states and DC.

We are eager to correspond with any and all librarians from four states: Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and West Viriginia. If you are reading this from one of these four states, please contact us! And if you know a librarian who lives and thrives in one of these four states, please forward our url (www.theseptemberproject.org) to them. Feel free to place me in the CC!

We look forward to working with libraries in all 50 states plus DC.

a month-long reflection

2005-08-19T23:17:00.000-07:00

While some people assume only large library systems have the resources to create programs that make a lasting impact on their communities, I've always looked to the smaller libraries to stand out in the crowd. Not to say that large systems aren't doing amazing things--I think small libraries have always appealed to me. It's probably a combination of my Midwestern roots, love for wide open spaces, and my time working with libraries. Regardless, there's no doubt this library in rural Oregon is doing pretty inspired stuff. Here is what the library director wrote:

Harney County Library is the lone library in Harney County, Oregon--a county that is over 10,000 square miles with only a 7500 population. However, we feel strongly about what's going on in the world and feel that the whole month of September should be designated for our contribution to the September Project. Our participation will be by way of an interactive display called "Mending Fences," a fence structure with poems and images tied to it. Viewers will be invited to add their own words or images that reveal their feelings about the current state of the world, their country and home. Since we are all citizens of the world we should all have the right to speak up on her behalf. Thank you for this opportunity for personal reflection and response on a topic that is difficult to quantify.

children's art exhibit

2005-08-18T13:15:00.000-07:00

The Booker Health Sciences Library at the Jersey Shore University Medical Center is sponsoring an art exhibit in conjunction with The September Project, called: Celebrating America through the Eyes of a Child.

The library will be collecting artwork and poetry from employee's children in grades 1 - 8 to display in the library and in the hallways of the Medical Center beginning the weekend of September 11. The artwork can be a drawing, painting, collage, poem or any other style that demonstrates how the child feels about our country and the freedoms, rights and privileges they enjoy. The library staff is supplying the paper. All participants will receive a flag pin and be entered into prize drawings.

Children can teach us quite a bit about the world around us. I'm so pleased this medical library is taking advantage of their valuable perspectives.

school programs

2005-08-11T11:47:00.000-07:00

September Project participants have been largely public libraries, so when a school library signs up, I'm particularly excited and interested in what they are planning. Today I heard from a librarian at MacArthur Elementary School, a school library in Binghamton, New York. Rather than attempt to describe their event, I'll let the librarian describe it:

"As an inner city school library, we are in a unique position to reach our community in a positive way. We plan to have a Peace Day on September 9, 2005, the Friday before 9/11. Parents and local celebrities and storytellers will be invited to read aloud to our K-5 students in the library, using peace tales. This event will be an integral part of our Character Education program at MacArthur. Our signature school story, A Bundle of Sticks, from Persia, first told in the aftermath of 9/11 by our librarian, Mrs. Pierce, will be retold. Children will be asked how THEY help create peace in their classroom and in their homes."

I love how Mrs. Pierce is including this program in their Character Education program. I can't think of a better lesson to learn than how to create peace. Beautiful.

voter education in Minneapolis

2005-08-08T11:09:00.000-07:00

As I've mentioned many times, corresponding with librarians is the best part of my job. I get to hear so many amazing and inspired ideas librarians are crafting into innovative programs for their communities. As I compile all of them to include on the web site, I'm hoping to be organized enough to highlight them here, too. Please check the web site often for updates to the event ideas list.

One such notable program is coming from the Minneapolis Public Library (MPL). This year, along with local organizations and nonprofits, they are creating an impressive Voter Education Project. The library is collaborating with local groups such as Getting to the Bottom of the Ballot (GetBoB), Kids Voting Minneapolis, League of Women Voters of Minneapolis, and the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits. This impressive group is working together to develop content for a print and online nonpartisan voter guide for the Minneapolis city election coming up in September. Information posted on the MPL web site will be in Spanish, Somali, and Hmong. My favorite part of the guide is the "How to Evaluate a Candidate" section. One of the many lessons I learned while at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation was that librarians not only know how to find information, but they understand how to evaluate it, too. Kudos to everyone involved in this comprehensive project!

This effort by the library and local organizations provides a valuable resource to the community and also forges long standing relationships and collaborations that create a stronger community and define the library as the place to be more informed on all aspects of daily life. It is encouraging that libraries continue to evolve in the ways they promote and expand information literacy. Libraries are vital to our growth as individuals, as nations, and as global citizens, and it makes me proud that a national institution offers fundamental resources on how to be active in understanding, protecting, and furthering our rights as citizens.

sharing events

2005-08-04T01:15:00.000-07:00

There has been a lot of activity with The September Project this week, and I've had the pleasure of talking with many librarians from all over the U.S. I've heard from libraries in Colorado collaborating with League of Women Voters and City Council members to offer voter registration and information. A librarian from Edmonds Community College in Washington is planning an interfaith discussion that explores religions and how to achieve a greater understanding and acceptance of religious and cultural difference. Another library in Arizona is asking students and faculty to consider what democracy means to them. Such a range of programs!

Hearing from librarians is the best part of my job. I look forward to hearing more inspiring stories and will share more soon. Look for these examples and more on our web site!

-sarah

libraries in colorado

2005-07-31T21:47:00.000-07:00

I just returned from Colorado, and while there, enjoyed using libraries to keep in contact with September Project participants. Colorado is such a glorious and awe-inspiring state, and it seemed no matter what town I visited, a library welcomed me. I used the Rocky Mountain College library in Leadville, CO (at 10,430 feet, walking to the library was a workout!), the Pitkin County Library (a bustling and beautiful setting in Aspen), and the John Tomay Memorial Library in Georgetown (a friendly librarian in a warm and inviting building set in a charming old town).

It was a joy visiting these mountain town libraries, talking to librarians, and using their computers. Thanks to Colorado for being such a welcoming and stunning host! Please visit the map to see which libraries in Colorado are participating in the project.

league of women voters in libraries

2005-07-06T22:39:00.000-07:00

We never tire of hearing the great ideas librarians share with us about events that engage their communities. Librarians often collaborate with community organizations, and one community organization that is doing great work in libraries and beyond is The League of Women Voters.

The Patriot Act continues to be a hot topic for libraries and communities. This fall, the "sunset" provisions are scheduled for a Congressional vote, and the League of Women Voters is equipped to help community members understand this and other important issues. League members are trained in leading community discussions on a host of topics, and are eager to engage local communities in better understanding the issues that affect us.

I'd love to hear from libraries who have collaborated with local League of Women Voters groups. What types of programs did you organize? Any tips for other libraries on organizing effective and productive events?

And if your library is interested in having a League of Women Voters member lead a compelling discussion at your library, please contact your local branch, and tell them about The September Project. They'll be glad to hear from you :)

day two in chicago: sign up!

2005-06-26T10:03:00.000-07:00

Today we talked to librarians from all over the country about the September Project. We learned that many libraries plan to participate in the project this year, but for one reason or another, haven't signed up on the web site. Signing up is easy, and simply places the library on the map so other libraries can see who is participating. And, we've learned that as September nears, all sorts of people start checking out the web site, including people who want to attend events at libraries, people who are interested in volunteering their time, and even press representatives who are looking for a local or national story to cover.

So if you happen to be reading this, and your library is participating in the project, please take a moment to sign up!

hooray 4 ALA! day one in chicago

2005-06-25T20:05:00.000-07:00

Today we went to a great program called Fostering Civic Engagement: Models and Practices for All Libraries. One impressive panelist (out of many) was Nancy Tessman, Director of The Salt Lake City Public Library System.

Nancy spoke eloquently about her library, from the conception to the foundation, to its fruition. As she told her story, I mentally scheduled a trip to Salt Lake City just to spend some time in her library. It sounds like a marvelous place.

Nancy is dedicated to building community. She spoke not of bringing people to the table, but of owning the table. It's a powerful image, one that further defines the library as a community center, as a place for all community members to be a part in shaping. Her library invites everyone to to be creative about how they see this building entering into their lives. Beyond other more traditional uses, she offered examples of libraries being a place for play, such as hosting weddings, dances, and cultural celebrations, like a public break of fast for Ramadan. Nancy spoke of being flexible and open to new ideas, new programs, and new ways to use the library as place.

This the type of place I love hearing about -- and visiting!

sharing what drives me

2005-06-04T15:24:00.000-07:00

A friend asked me last night what was going on with the September Project. I always like hearing this question, because it’s fun to share the project with people, and also good to search my brain for the latest news that’s fit to print. Here’s what I told him:

1. The international scope of the project. This emerging development continues to thrill and encourage me. Hearing from librarians in far away places I may never visit and learning that they too, share a common purpose with the librarians in my neighborhood, fills me with joy and wonderment.
2. The persistent call for collaboration from all corners of the world. In such a fractured world, it’s heartening to hear from people who want to work together, to figure things out, to share, and to learn.
3. My hometown’s involvement. I had to throw in a personal note of what excites me! I spent many years in the Minneapolis area, and have corresponded with librarians from suburban and urban systems, who plan to participate in the project. What a joy it is to know that influential libraries in my life are joining other librarians across the globe in opening their doors to explore democracy, citizenship, and freedom on September 11 of this year.

international reach

2005-05-30T14:20:00.000-07:00

I am not a world traveler, but I am suddenly feeling as if I have traveled to libraries in far away places. As of today, there are libraries in 7 countries participating in The September Project: Greece, India, Nepal, Singapore, Spain, United States, and Venezuela.

Most notably, seven Indian libraries have signed up to participate in the project. We are thrilled and encouraged that so many places in our world are interested in coming together to exchange ideas that matter.

If you have a moment, check out the map page on the September project site and visit these libraries—testament to libraries being inspired and beautiful places in all locales.

the blog launches!

2005-05-28T22:20:00.000-07:00

Welcome to The September Project Blog!

As this space evolves, we plan to share news about the project (www.theseptemberproject.org) and other information we hope you'll find interesting. Please feel free to comment about posts and contact us about your ideas and anything else you want to share on this space. Welcome!

sarah washburn

co-director, the september project
www.theseptemberproject.org