Featuring lesson plans on President Kennedy's landmark June 1963 civil rights address and a variety of resources and programs highlighting summer reading opportunities for all ages

President Kennedy’s June 11, 1963 Radio and Television Report to the American People on Civil Rights was an historic call to action. In this lesson, students read, listen to, and summarize an excerpt of the speech. They then reflect on its resonance today and create images of what racial justice could look like in the future.

In this lesson, students examine the persuasive techniques in President Kennedy's June 11, 1963 Radio and Television Report to the American People on Civil Rights and evaluate the effectiveness of the speech.

These expertly curated annotated bibliographies created for our annual children’s literature conference provide outstanding selections of nonfiction and historical fiction for summer reading lists (and fall curriculum planning!).

Neal Thompson, journalist and author, discusses his book The First Kennedys: The Humble Roots of an American Dynasty, which draws on previously unreleased records to explore the lives of Bridget and Patrick Kennedy, with Christine Kinealy, professor of history and director of Ireland’s Great Hunger Institute at Quinnipiac University.

This edition includes a retrospective on the past twenty years of Federal Budget Simulation programs for high school students, an elementary school lesson plan about a student's petition for peace, highlights of the recent curatorial updates to the White House restoration display, and announcements for upcoming professional development opportunities for teachers and the National Student Mock Election.

Engage your students in the Massachusetts gubernatorial election with this voter education program for K-12 audiences. The National Student Mock Election emphasizes the importance of voting and the power of students' ballots. Educators can use grab-and-go resources for both in-person and virtual settings. Go to the Library's Mock Election webpage for the most up-to-date information about this program.

As First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy spearheaded the “White House Restoration Project.” She shared her efforts with a television audience on February 14, 1962, and created a guidebook for visitors to the Executive Mansion which still exists today. Invite your students to explore Mrs. Kennedy’s project and design their own Oval Office, or Red, Green, or Blue Room collage.

Mark your calendars for this unique opportunity to meet some of the most talented illustrators of history-based children’s literature. Featuring Ekua Holmes as a keynote speaker with guest illustrators Don Brown, Laura Freeman, and E.B. Holmes.

Find summer reading materials for all ages with this list of books recommended by David Ferriero, the former Archivist of the United States, in 2020 and 2021.