MEDIA CONTACTS:
Erica Jaros
ejaros@imls.gov
June 21 with IMLS Director Crosby Kemper
Washington, DC—With just two years before the historic 250th anniversary of America's independence, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and PBS Books are joining together to showcase “Visions of America: All Stories, All People, All Places,” a digital-first series of videos and virtual conversations about lesser known moments in our country’s history and culture.
What: “Visions of America” will kick off in June with three virtual conversations. This month, IMLS Director Crosby Kemper sits down with PBS Books host Heather Montilla to explore the significance of the America250 project and the important role of IMLS in supporting museums and libraries—the caretakers of our history and culture. Beginning in fall 2023, Kemper will lead a video tour through three lesser-known historical sites that symbolize an aspect of the spirit of independence. Some of the nation’s most notable historians and authors will share the tales and themes that reverberate inside the walls of these institutions. Each episode will include exploring the cities these institutions call home to probe what makes each of these communities so important to the country’s national identity.
When: Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at 8:00 pm ET. Save the date for upcoming conversations on Wednesday, July 19 and Wednesday, August 16.
Where: In collaboration with IMLS and PBS Books, Detroit Public Television serves as a media partner and producer of the new series. The conversations will be distributed through social media platforms including Facebook and YouTube, as well as select PBS stations and the PBS app. Classroom resources will be developed for teachers across the country.
Why: America250 is a multiyear effort to commemorate the semiquincentennial, or 250th anniversary, of the U.S. This effort is being led at the national level by the non-partisan U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, created by Congress, and its supporting nonprofit America250 Foundation. At the core of the project will be community outreach through museums and libraries to engage diverse audiences and foster civic discourse. PBS Books will provide free resources and offer webinars to support museum and library staff designing programs, including integrating the video content to host screening events and community conversations around the series themes.
About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America's museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. IMLS envisions a nation where individuals and communities have access to museums and libraries to learn from and be inspired by the trusted information, ideas, and stories they contain about our diverse natural and cultural heritage. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov.
About PBS Books
Started in 2014 by Detroit Public Television, PBS Books is a trusted national brand and a multiplatform initiative connecting diverse audiences to books through PBS stations and programming, daily and original content, book fairs, conferences, live performances, screenings and other book-related events. The vision of PBS Books is to foster a community of people engaged in unique literary experiences that spark their curiosity, promote dialogue and inspire learning. PBS Books aims to provide context for complex issues — both national and local. In early 2019 with the support of the Knight Foundation and the Wyncote Foundation, PBS Books launched a free Library Engagement Program, which currently has more than 1,800 library partners. Today, PBS Books produces regular virtual content promoting critical dialogue about current topics and critical issues in communities across the U.S. To learn more, please visit: www.pbsbooks.org.
About Detroit Public TV
Serving Southeast Michigan, Detroit Public TV (DPTV) is Michigan’s largest and most watched television station, with the most diverse public television audience in the country. Each week, more than 2 million people watch DPTV’s five broadcast channels, and nearly 200,000 people listen to its radio station, 90.9 WRCJ, for classical days and jazzy nights. In addition, DPTV is building the next generation of public media with a rapidly growing digital presence, which now reaches more than half a million unique visitors through its website, YouTube channels and social media platforms each month. For more information, visit dptv.org.