(MEDFORD, OR – 6/12/26) When in the course of human events it becomes necessary to commemorate the United States’ 250th birthday, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that you should observe that celebration at Jackson County Library Services.
JCLS will be honoring the milestone birthday during America 250, “a nonpartisan initiative working to engage every American in commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026,” according to the Institute of Museum & Library Services.
There are plenty of opportunities to do join in the red, white, and blue-nniversary.
· The Ruch Library will hold a presentation and discussion called “Who Are ‘We The People’ from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 13. The event is a chance to reflect on what the Declaration of Independence means today, what it means to be American, and what it takes to work together for the benefit of all.
· Author Mike Green will discuss his book “America 250: Through the Lens of Black American History” from noon to 1:30 p.m. Friday, June 26, at the Central Point Library and noon to 1:30 p.m. Friday, July 17 at the Eagle Point Library.
· “Community Conversations: An Invitation to Discuss Democracy in Our Times”, will be held 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 27, at the Jacksonville Library. The talk will focus on the question “What does it mean to be an American?”
· Celebrate the poetry of Walt Whitman from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, June 27, at the Ashland Library during “Walt Whitman: America’s Poet of the Open Road.” This performance will see performer and author Tim Holt taking on the role of Whitman, presenting his life and work in poetry and prose.
· “Sharing the Spirit of America,” a nationwide simultaneous reading of the Declaration of Independence, will be held 3 to 4 p.m. Monday, July 8 at the Ashland, Medford, Jacksonville, and Prospect libraries. The Ruch Library will also participate, and their event will be held 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
· “Community Quilt: Stitching Our Stories Together” will be held 2 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, at the Central Point Library. Community members of all ages are invited to design and decorate their own quilt squares that will be sewn into one large quilt. It will be displayed in the library when it’s finished.
Whether it’s a community discussion, author talk, poetic presentation, or spirited reading of one of the most important documents in U.S. history, we hope to see you around the library soon.