Norman B. Leventhal Map Center

The Leventhal Map and Education Center at Boston Public Library will foster increased critical thinking and visual information literacy skills through an initiative focused on how maps influence ideas, emotions, and opinions. A six-month-long exhibition, titled Persuasion, will feature maps dating from the 15th century to present. These maps were created during periods of colonization, political elections, commercial enterprises, military conflict, and social movements. The initiative will also include a series of public talks with scholars, workshops for adults, and K to 12 programs. A two-day workshop for middle and high school teachers will focus on integrating digital mapping tools into their curriculum. The exhibition will be presented during the 2020 presidential election season when voting and other data maps will be part of the public discourse. The touchscreens will be frequently updated with maps displaying election data.