What is Patriot Week?

A few years back in my home state of Michigan, a local Judge and his daughter decided something had to be done about renewing the American Spirit.  Judge Michael Warren,  an Oakland County judge wrote a book, America's Survival Guide which detailed how the Founding Fathers envision and sustained this country for centuries.  He goes on to express how not knowing our own history, America is doomed to fail.   After reading this book,  it lead to the inspiration of putting together a list of books about American Patriotism for children and their families to share.  It was one of the most rewarding project to date because the list proved to be a tool to help others find their love and pride of our country.    For Judge Warren, this books seems to have inspired his family to create a National Week of celebrating the American Spirit now celebrated in many states as Patriot Week,  September 11 -17.

Now some librarians and perhaps even patrons may make the argument that libraries should not be places where books, displays and programs should be one sided or biased.  After all don't we look a bit silly waving our American flag, reading wonderful books about the greatness of our Country and listening to patriotic stories and presentations that point all the good there is in our country.  It would appear that we are simple country bumpkins who don't want the whole truth.  The answer to this question is no.   Here's why: America with all it's faults and flaws is still the only country in the world where Freedom still has meaning to it's citizens.  Far too often, political idealist on both sides take for granted the freedom of speech and demonstration.   Citizens are given a right to protest, yell and complain about anything as long as it does not hurt another human being or interfere with their rights.      Marching on a side walk in front of City hall with the sign that says "Our Mayor stinks and is crooked"  will not result in an arrest.  It may spark conversation and debate, and that's okay as long as the conversation and debate is civil.

These days, the art of civil conversation seems to have disappeared.  As Americans, we have lost sight of who we are, why are country came to be and even to the point of forgetting why public libraries were opened from the beginning.  Here's a reminder:   public libraries were to store knowledge so that future generations could share knowledge, ideas and to have civil discussion about events and issues of the day.   Patriot Week aims to reignite the love of country through reading and sharing ideas which pertains to Our Founding Fathers,  Inallianble rights and honoring those who have gone before us who fought for Women's and Civil Rights.   These are very good reminders of the good that has happened and give hope that the best days are yet to come.

September 11 begins Patriot Week, with the somber reminder of  the tragedy of 9/11/01.   One book title that has become a favorite,  The Man Who Walked Between The Towers by Mordical Gerstein.  When the book was first published in 2007,  there was little hope that this could ever be put to use in a story time.   The reviews of the book didn't give much hope that it would have anything to do with 9/11 and quite frankly was the tragedy of the day a good topic for story time.  Surprisingly, this story's ending provided a subtle way of talking about the towers that would not bring about fearful images for little ones.  (K-2)  After using the story a few times for family read alongs,  a surpassing thing happened.  Parents shared with others their memories of the towers, that day or where they were.  Children learned from Oral History (fancy way of saying they heard an historical account from a primary source) what America was like in 2001.

Truth be told, libraries are at the keeper of the stories.  All the stories, novels, short, fiction and non fiction alike.  Which makes it even more important to participate in celebrations such as Patriot Week at the library.  The stories of America's spirt should be kept alike and retold as often.  Patriot Week is the perfect time to take down the books of the shelves and share them with old and young at heart.  Even if your library does not participate in this week,  reading about America is a great idea just the same.  If in need of a list of books that may help spark the American spirit within yourself or library,  email thelibrarianatlarge@gmail.com to receive a copy of the list.

September 11 and Patriot Week

It really doesn't seem that long ago that the Twin Towers fell, the Pentagon was struck and sadly a lone plane in Pennsylvania crashed with true American heroes on board. The images of September 11, 2001 has been etched into the collective memory of Americans. Or has it? In a recent issue of School Library Journal, (7/26/11) resources on September 11th were discussed in the context that most students today do not have a connection to the events of that infamous day. To most students today it is just another history date on the calendars. The remedy to correct this problem the authors suggest is to connect students to primary sources. That is a wonderful idea, however there is an additional step that schools, libraries and parents can take in bringing home not only the events of 9/11 but also Patriotism. Just recall how everyone in the days, months after the tragedy how many Americans not only mourned with the families who suffered deep losses but waving the American flag was considered another form of expressing unity.

Patriot Week in Michigan will be celebrated September 11-17, 2011. (At this time, if other states are celebrating a form of Patriot Week is unknown) This week is dedicated to celebrating the First Principles and the men and women who have proven to the world that a democratic republic could not only be formed but actually be the best form of governing since it has latest for over 200 years. To participate in the week's event there is only one prerequisite: a yearning to learn more about America and her history. No need to be card toting Republican, Democrat or Independent. This is for every American, young and old alike. Judge Michael Warren and his daughter Leah were inspired to find a way to renew the Spirit of America. In order to accomplish this they set out to inform fellow citizens about the Founding Fathers, First principals, Equality and the Constitution. These concepts, which are the bedrock of the American government, should be well known to adults and children of all ages. This event is the perfect occasion for a refresher course on American history, at the same time making certain that students today will have a connection not to the date September 11, 2001 but to other dates such as July 4, 1776.

For libraries big and small, this is the perfect time to showcase the wonderful resources that are available that will further bring home the ideas of Patriot Week. Highlighting such books as Cheney's We The People or Longfellow's Paul Revere's Ride. Providing an annotated bibliography for patrons to use during the week would be the simplest way to participate. (If libraries do not have time to put together a bibliography, contact lvnlibrarian@gmail.com to find out how to get a copies of "Patriotic Books for Patriotic Families") Even simpler, place a link on the library's webpage to www.patriotweek.org.

Libraries are the "institutions" of self-education. Directing students and patrons to primary and historical resources on 9/11 and Patriot Week can ensure that pride in being American will be passed on for generations to come. In addition, young patrons will learn that educating oneself on any topic is as easy as going to the learning institutions called the "library"