"A More Perfect Union"

Birmingham Public Library has once again received the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) We the People Bookshelf award. This year's Bookshelf is entitled, "A More Perfect Union." As the American people begin observing the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, NEH seeks to promote reflection among young people on the idea of the United States as a “union.” Our Constitution, the Preamble proclaims, was intended to “form a more perfect union.” Since 1776 our motto has been E Pluribus Unum—“Out of many, one.” In 1861, as President Abraham Lincoln considered his response to secessionist states, he declared his “paramount object” to be to “save the Union.” What is the nature of the “union” that the Founders formed and Lincoln sought to save? In what ways is America a One as well as a Many? With the ratification of the U.S. Constitution and the Union victory in the Civil War, is the American union complete and perfect? What role have subsequent generations played, and what we might envision today to continue our perfect union?

“A More Perfect Union” is the seventh program sponsored by the We the People Bookshelf National Endowment for the Humanities. It has been distributed to 4,000 school (K-12) and public libraries. The National Endowment for the Humanities is offers this program in cooperation with the American Library Association.

In addition to creating displays for the titles in the collection, Birmingham Public Library is celebrating with a special after school program presented by Ms. Elinor Burks, The Science of G.W. Carver: a Hands on Experience, at the following Birmingham Public Libraries:

Smithfield Branch

Monday, February 21 at 3:30

East Lake Branch

Tuesday, February 22 at 3:30

East Ensley Branch

Wednesday, February 23 at 3:15

Avondale Branch

Thursday, February 24 at 3:15

Five Points West Branch

Monday, February 28 at 4:00

Powderly Branch

Tuesday, March 1 at 4:00