Hi Anna, Our approach at the Library of Michigan with our monthly virtual programs (www.Michigan.gov/LMPublicPrograms<http://www.michigan.gov/LMPublicPrograms>) is to have several programs that focus on the early development of Michigan as both a territory and state, the collection/preservation of the stories of that initial generation of Michiganders, and other topics faced by researchers of that time period (e.g., vital records prior to 1867, the Public Land Survey System, using out of state collections for Michigan research). Our colleagues/neighbors at the Michigan State Capitol Education & History Department approached the America 250 themes from how the Michigan Capitol building - and the community of people connected to it - fit within the larger American story: https://www.mscexhibits.org/america-250-programs-schedule. Their programs so far have focused on the architecture of capitol buildings, Michigan Constitutions & Constitutional Conventions, and how the Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society was collecting history in the 1870s. Many of their future programs follow similar themes. The story of our state offers many ways of exploring the themes of the America 250 celebration and celebrating Michigan's contributions to the American story. Besides looking at our program list and those of the Michigan State Capitol Education & History Department, I'd also suggest looking at the America250MI website: https://www.america250mi.org/. There are certainly plenty of ideas on there that the Historical Society of Michigan<https://hsmichigan.org/> has compiled together. If you (or anyone else) want to have a further conversation about this, feel free to reach out. Thanks! Adam 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<mailto:ostera@michigan.gov> | 517-335-1469 | www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan<http://www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan> Follow us: Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/libraryofmichigan/> | Twitter<https://twitter.com/libraryofmich> | Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/libraryofmichigan/> From: Anna Merritt via Michlib-l <michlib-l@liblists.org> Sent: Wednesday, April 15, 2026 2:56 PM To: michlib-l@liblists.org Subject: [Michlib-l] Celebrating America250 CAUTION: This is an External email. Please report suspicious emails via the "Report to Abuse" button in Outlook Hello All, Is anyone else having trouble navigating the America250 without bringing up politics or glossing over aspects of America's history...? Ideas for programs, displays, etc. seem to either 1.) Put out an uber-patriotic ideal or 2.) Invite debate about current events and politics... How can we find a balance between sugarcoating our nation's history and being to 'woke' for our more conservative patrons? All ideas and feedback are welcome. No judgment. Anna Merritt (she/her) Assistant Director / Adult Programmer / Interloan Specialist Richland Community Library 8951 Park Street Richland, MI 49083 (269) 629-9085 ZV283 https://www.richlandlibrary.org/ [1] -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by E.F.A. Project<http://www.efa-project.org/>, and is believed to be clean.
