IMLS

Happy Fourth of July and happy 250th anniversary! On July 4, 1776, a bold idea became the foundation of a nation. The Declaration of Independence announced to the world that the thirteen American colonies were no longer under British rule. Its powerful words proclaimed that “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.” Adopted by the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, the document marked the birth of the United States and continues to inspire generations who believe in the promise of freedom and self-government. #IMLS250

Meeting in Philadelphia in May 1775, the Second Continental Congress managed the colonial war effort during the American Revolution and took the bold step of declaring independence from Great Britain in 1776. It was here that leaders debated the future of the colonies, appointed George Washington to command the Continental Army, and approved the Declaration of Independence. In the face of uncertainty, the Congress helped transform a group of colonies into a united nation. #IMLS250

The Haines Borough Public Library serves a community that spans more than 2,600 square miles in a city that is a hiking destination in the summer. Its commitment to making every visitor feel seen and valued has made the library a second home for many. #IMLSmedals 📷: Holly Davis

Thomas Jefferson was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson’s love of books helped rebuild America’s national library. After British forces burned Washington, D.C. and destroyed the young congressional library during the War of 1812, Jefferson offered Congress his personal collection of thousands of books. His vast library became the foundation for what is now the @Library_of_Congress, turning a lifelong passion for knowledge into a national institution. Jefferson believed that an informed people were essential to a strong republic. #IMLS250

Today, we are celebrating our final 2025 #IMLSmedals winner, the Haines Borough Public Library! In Haines, AK, there is no making a quick trip to the next town: the library serves as a convention center, community living room & for some the closest thing they have to family. 📷: Erik Stevens & John Hagen

Robert R. Livingston helped draft the Declaration of Independence, but you won’t find his name on it. As a member of the Committee of Five, Livingston worked with Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, and Sherman to prepare the Declaration, but before he could sign the final version, he was called back to New York by the provincial congress. Even without his signature, his role in shaping America’s founding words remains part of our story. #IMLS250

Roger Sherman’s journey to the founding of the United States began in a shoemaker’s shop. Born in Massachusetts, Sherman worked as a cordwainer (shoemaker) and later as a surveyor. Through determination and self-education, he studied law independently and passed the bar, eventually becoming a key statesman and one of the few founders deeply involved in multiple founding documents of the nation. From tradesman to statesman, Sherman’s life reflected the promise of opportunity in America. #IMLS250

One of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Cultural Heritage Center’s most powerful spaces is its Origins Gallery, which presents 8 foundational oral histories that have been passed down for generations. #IMLSmedals

Today’s #IMLSmedals winner, the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Cultural Heritage Center, is a place where culture is sustained through community. Located in Shawnee, OK, the museum serves as a living space where Potawatomi history, language & knowledge are actively practiced & shared.

From nature programs to outdoor learning spaces, museums and libraries help connect visitors to the world around them. #GreatOutdoorsMonth #ZooandAquariumMonth Photo: Courtesy of Julia Fuller, @LincolnParkZoo. Lincoln Park Zoo’s Partners in Fieldwork program is a school-year-long program, with approximately 45 hours of project time per student, totaling over 30,000 engagement hours. This innovative program gives high school students authentic, hands-on experience in scientific inquiry, while learning about nature in their neighborhoods and tackling urban conservation challenges. Uniquely structured, the program is offered for free to partner schools and includes funding for buses, as well as professional development workshops. Students create their own research questions and answer them by studying local wildlife. PIF allows students to truly step into the shoes of Lincoln Park Zoo’s professional research staff, who use the same methods to study wildlife every day

Benjamin Franklin helped unite the colonies and shape the nation’s founding documents. A leading figure of the American Enlightenment, Franklin promoted colonial cooperation and diplomacy during the Revolution. He was also the only person to sign three of the most important founding documents of the United States: the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Paris ending the Revolutionary War, and the U.S. Constitution. A writer, scientist, and diplomat, Franklin’s influence helped turn revolutionary ideas into a nation. #IMLS250

John Adams was a man of many firsts! After serving as the first Vice President of the United States, he became the first U.S. president to move into the newly built Executive Mansion; later known as the White House. The building was still unfinished, cold, and sparsely furnished, but Adams and his wife Abigail made it their home for the final months of his presidency. #IMLS250

From June 11th to July 5th, 1776, a committee of five patriots led the charge to draft the United States Declaration of Independence. Those five men were John Adams, Roger Sherman, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and Robert R. Livingston. We’ll spotlight each of them on our social media platforms this week in recognition of America’s 250th anniversary.

Every child deserves opportunities to learn, discover, and imagine. Today we celebrate the young readers, creators, and explorers in our communities. #NationalChildrensDay #IMLSgrant Photo: Courtesy of Mississippi Children’s Museum (@mschildsmuseum). Birthday party goers play inside MCM’s “Shrimp Boat.”

Today, the sun will be up longer than any other day this year! It’s the perfect time to get outside and have some fun! Photo: Courtesy of Gulfport Public Library. Teen Water Balloon – The Gulfport Public Library provides teen programming to those in Grades 6th through 12th which enhance skills, coordination, and provide a safe environment for socialization.

We’re celebrating fathers - caregivers, and mentors who encourage curiosity, learning, and lifelong discovery. Happy Father’s Day! Photo: Courtesy of the National Railroad Museum. Father and daughter enjoying train tables in the Children’s Discovery Depot.

In addition to public computers, audiobooks, e-books, and a full reference and research service, Ten Sleep Library offers many dedicated services so that residents don’t have to travel long distances for medical care & reliable internet.

Today we are celebrating #IMLSmedals winner, Ten Sleep Library! Sitting at the base of the Big Horn Mountains, Ten Sleep, Wyoming, takes its name from an Arapaho pictograph found just outside of town: a marker of people finding their way to one another.

Commemorating the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation and the end of slavery in the United States, #Juneteenth honors freedom, resilience, and the ongoing work of preserving and sharing American history. Photo: Courtesy of The Long Branch Free Public Library. June 18th, 2023 – The Long Branch Free Public Library holds their 2nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration.

Aaron Beck revolutionized mental healthcare by pioneering cognitive behavioral therapy. His research and innovations have helped millions of Americans lead healthier, happier lives. He is one of the many brilliant minds to come out of Rhode Island. #IMLS250