Please see the opportunity for Michigan libraries below from America250MI, Michigan's Committee for the United States Semiquincentennial. The Library of Michigan is a proud sponsor of America250MI: https://www.america250mi.org/

Hello Library Partners,

America250MI invites you to join a coordinated, nationwide commemoration of the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 8, 2026, at 6:00 PM EDT. Join the rest of the nation -and world- as we gather to read the words that not only inspired a nation but inspired the 250-year march of equality and justice that still resonates with these words:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Why libraries? Libraries are community anchors—perfect places for readings, discussions, and displays that connect historical moments to today’s civic life. Participation ideas include:

Public readings in your library or partnership with local schools.
Readers from diverse backgrounds to reflect multilingual communities.
Displays that invite visitors to engage with the Declaration’s continuing relevance.
Collaboration with local historical societies or community organizations to carry out your readings.

How to participate (easy and flexible):

Access the America250MI Community Hub for planning resources, toolkits, translations, promotional materials, sign-up information, and an interactive statewide event map.
Sign up your library and share your planned activities.
Use the hub to coordinate with other Michigan libraries and statewide events.

Next steps:

We invite libraries across Michigan will help bring this historic moment to life. To learn more and get started, use the links below:
Sharing the Spirit of America - How to Participate

So that others from your community can join, add your library’s name and city to the statewide map with your event details:

Sharing the Spirit of America Application

Does your library have an event related to the Semiquincentennial that you’d like to share with the rest of the state?

America250MI Events Calendar
America250MI Event Application

Access our Branding and Marketing Kit for logos, social media, and marketing and branding assets to help amplify your event:
AM250MI Branding and Marketing Kit

We hope you’ll help bring this historic moment to life in Michigan. To learn more and get started, please review the resources at the links above. If you have any questions or require assistance, please contact Robert Doran-Brockway at Robert.America250MI@gmail.com.

Best regards,

Robert Doran-Brockway, Program Director
America250MI
www.America250MI.org

Adam Oster, Community Engagement Librarian

Library of Michigan

Michigan Department of Education

702 W. Kalamazoo St.

P.O. Box 30007

Lansing, MI 48909-7507

ostera@michigan.gov | 517-335-1469 | www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan