By Stacey Zwald Costello, Library Director
Red coats or blue coats? All will be in book coats!
The library will celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation with a yearlong display highlighting books on the American Revolution. Monthly displays will invite adults, teens, and children to explore the era through a mix of nonfiction and historical fiction, bringing the Revolution to life on our shelves.
We begin with “Rebels & Revolution: The Road to 1776,” charting the tensions that pushed uneasy colonies into open revolt. “Voices of Freedom” broadens the lens to the many people who shaped the war, from soldiers to civilians, while “Documents That Defined a Nation” puts the Declaration of Independence, “Common Sense,” and the Constitution front and center, as the ideas that fueled rebellion.
“Revolutionary Reads” tilts toward historical fiction, pairing novels with nonfiction to show where fact and imagination clasp hands. “The Legacy Lives On” then traces how revolutionary ideals echo through modern debates about democracy, protest, and civic responsibility. Midyear brings the clash of muskets in “Revolution on the Battlefield,” followed by “The Founders: Flawed and Fascinating,” where readers can weigh Jefferson against Hamilton and explore the strengths and contradictions of other leaders.
“Revolutionary Women” moves beyond Betsy Ross to highlight figures like Mercy Otis Warren and Sybil Ludington, while “Loyalists, Spies & Traitors” lets patrons navigate divided loyalties, secret networks, and the risks of rebellion.
As the year winds down, “The Revolution Around the World” explores how America’s struggle inspired movements beyond its borders, and “The American Revolution in Pop Culture” asks how film, television, and other media have remixed history. Finally, “A Living Revolution” invites everyone to consider how civic responsibility and engagement continue to shape our community today.
As the series progresses, we hope these displays will spark conversation, curiosity, and participation across the county. Stop in regularly to experience each new theme and be part of this yearlong exploration of America’s founding.