Picturing America for Public Libraries

The posters were used in a number of different types of programs for various age groups. In November, several posters were used during an evening program for children ages 7 and up. The program was on American Girl character, Kaya. The posters that were highlighted were “The Last of the Mohicans”, 5b, “Portrait of Mah-to-tah-pa”, 6b and “Sans Arc Lakota Ledger Book”. The posters and questions in the resource book added to the Native American discussion. Several Home School programs utilized the posters.

In February, both “Paul Revere”, 2a and “Silver of the 18th, 19th & 29th Centuries”, 2b were used in a discussion on the making of silver. The participants used foil to make their own silver. In March, the Home School groups used the poster of “Abraham Lincoln” as part of his 200th birthday celebration. The discussion questions were used and they compared the picture to his portrait on a penny.

The posters were used at the beginning of each monthly adult book discussion to spark extra interest in the book that was read. In October 2008, the poster “Brooklyn Bridge” abstract, 14b was used with Amy Tan’s book Hundred Secret Senses. January 2009, the second poster of the “Brooklyn Bridge”, 13a was displayed and discussed with the book and movie A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. February 2009, 17a “Migration Series #57” was used for the discussion of Slaves in the Family. March 2009, the book was To the Lighthouse so “Boating Party”, 14a was presented. In April 2009, the stain glass of “Autumn Landscape - River of Life” fit in with the book, Circle of Grace.

Students in the Bermudian Springs School District who participate in a special program called ‘Studio Arts” used the posters and resource book to research artists and paintings. This proved to be an invaluable resource for the students.

Submitted by Pat Dixon