FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 28, 2008
Contact: Maura Hurley,
Public information Officer
415-391-1474, ext. 308
mhurley@calhum.org
SAN FRANCISCO — The California Council for the Humanities has awarded grants to 21 California libraries to conduct an innovative Council-developed photography and writing project for teens this summer and fall.
The 10-week program, called “How I See It: My Place,” will involve teens in exploring, photographing and writing about their everyday environments. The program aims to connect young people to their communities and give them skills in research, writing, photography, presentation, and exhibit planning and design. As part of the program, the youths will plan and organize exhibits of their work at their respective libraries. The youths’ work will also be featured in an online exhibit on the Council’s website in spring 2009.
Program inspired by work of Harvard professor
The program was inspired by the work of John Stilgoe, professor of landscape history at Harvard University, and his book “Outside Lies Magic: Regaining History and Awareness in Everyday Places.” “Stilgoe sees everyday landscape as a historical record and wants to awaken people to the excitement of going outside and exploring their surroundings,” said Council Executive Director Ralph Lewin. “Senior Programs Manager Felicia Kelley developed the My Place program by expanding on Stilgoe’s ideas and making them accessible to kids,” Lewin added.
The 21 libraries will use a curriculum and equipment package developed and provided by the Council, including digital cameras, printers and computers. They will also receive a $1000 grant to cover additional program expenses.
In addition to connecting young people to their communities, the My Place program aims to increase intergenerational understanding, promote civic engagement and highlight the role of libraries as centers of community cultural life. “We also hope it will spark the young participants’ interest in the humanities and encourage them to pursue their newly developed skills and interests as they continue their education,” Lewin said.
The following 21 libraries received grants to participate in the How I See It: My Place. The libraries will hold the programs during summer and fall 2008.
Antioch Public Library
Project Director: Kathy Middleton, Teen And Adult Librarian
Auburn Library
Project Director: Sophie Bruno, Youth Services Librarian
Garfield Park Branch, Santa Cruz Public Libraries
Project Director: Sandi Imperio, Young Adult Librarian
Glendale Public Library, Main Branch
Project Director: Cheryl Capitani, Reference And Teen Services Librarian
Hayward Public Library
Project Director: Shawna Sherman, Young Adult Librarian
Kern County Library, Ridgecrest Branch
Project Director: Tom Cummings, Library Associate, Youth Services
La Habra Public Library
Project Director: Jill Patterson, branch manager
Lawndale Library
Project Director: Melissa McCollum, Community Library Manager
Mendota Branch Library
Project Director: Kris Jorgensen, Librarian II
Moorpark City Library
Project Director: Melissa Elliott, Youth Services librarian
Orland Free Library
Project Director: Jody Meza, Children’s Librarian
Pacifica Public Library
Project Director: Kimberly Day, Library Assistant
San Leandro Main Library
Project Director: Kelly Keefer, Librarian
Santa Monica Main Library
Erica Cuyugan, Young Adult Librarian
Riverside Public Library, Main Branch
Project Director: Alicia Doktor, Teen Librarian
San Jose Public Library
Project Director: Angie Miraflor, Teen services Librarian
South Oxnard Branch Library
Project Director: Renata Hundley, Librarian I
Lincoln Acres Branch, National City
Christine Plante, South Region Youth Services librarian
South Tahoe Branch Library
Project Director: Katharine Miller, Library Technician
Sutter County Library, Yuba City
Project Director: James Ochsner, Library Services Coordinator
Woodcrest Library
Project Director: Daniel Granados, Young Adult/Reference Librarian
California Stories: How I See It: My Place is supported in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian. This project is conducted in partnership with Califa, a membership-based service bureau designed to provide cost-effective delivery of services, programs and products through a membership network of California libraries.
About the California Council for the Humanities
The California Council for the Humanities is an independent nonprofit organization and state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The mission of the Council is to foster understanding between people and encourage their engagement in community life through the public use of the humanities. The Council has supported and created programs that bring Californians together around their history and culture for more than 30 years. Since 2001 the Council has been engaged in a statewide initiative, California Stories, designed to tell the larger story of California. The Council’s new California Stories campaign, How I See It, is helping young people to share — in their own words and through a variety of media — what their lives are like, what they care about, and what it’s like to grow up in today’s California. For more information, visit the Council’s website at www.californiastories.org or contact the Council’s administrative office at (415) 391-1474.
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