LETTER: Reflecting on America’s 250th Anniversary

How do the freedoms granted us as Americans shape our lives? How do we define ourselves? What does the Declaration of Independence mean when it says to “mutually pledge to each other”?    

The 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence marks an occasion for us to celebrate, but also to pause and reflect. This country finds itself at this historic moment in a place of increased division. At the same time, we hear from our communities a clear yearning for meaningful connection. What does it look like when we sit down together with an open mind and truly listen? Is it possible to bridge some of those gaps and find areas of shared understanding? 

NCW Libraries invites you to join our Conversation Project, an online series offered in partnership with Oregon Humanities: What Does Freedom Depend On (June 17, 6 p.m.), To What Do We Pledge? (July 16, 6 p.m.), and What Does It Mean to Be American (Aug. 13, 6 p.m.). These facilitated conversations offer an opportunity to reflect on our nation’s history, explore under-told stories, and engage with different perspectives about the past, present, and future of our country. Participants are encouraged to listen, share, and learn together in a welcoming environment designed for thoughtful dialogue. This series is free and open to everyone across our five-county region. 

For over 100 years, public libraries have played a unique and critical role in guaranteeing free access to information to everyone, allowing for unrestricted learning and exchange of ideas. Libraries provide a solid foundation for broad civic engagement, offering free spaces where communities can come together to learn, question, and engage. What better place to reflect upon America’s 250th birthday than the public library, the institution Andrew Carnegie called “a cradle of democracy?”

Summer Hayes 

Associate Director of Community Libraries, NCW Libraries

Wenatchee