Picturing America for Public Libraries

The Quincy Public Library developed and implemented a Picturing America program series to complement the Picturing America collection. The entire collection was put on display in the main lobby of the library and featured in an 8-week “American Visions” lecture and film series. Many images from the collection were featured in programs, including a photography workshop and Native American Art program. They were also used for display and reference purposes.

Through “American Visions,” a short film was shown each week, and a moderator discussed the film and displayed key images from the Picturing America collection to enhance the topic and program. The library hosted the program “The Camera and Abraham Lincoln,” which specifically targeted the iconic photograph of Abraham Lincoln (9-B) featured in the Picturing America collection. A lecture “Windows of the Spirit: Sacred Meaning in Native America Art” focused on Native American art as shown in many of the Picturing America images.

Submitted by Julie Boll.