Sept. 5, 2006 — For the second consecutive year, the J. Willard Marriott Library at the University of Utah will be participating in “The September Project” (TSP), a worldwide grassroots effort to foster civic engagement on Sept. 11 and throughout the month of September.
TSP events take place in libraries, where all people are welcomed, and where the exchange of information and ideas flourish, explains Heidi Brett, public relations specialist for the Marriott Library. “The September Project encourages individuals to come together as members of their communities to become better acquainted with current issues, politics and other issues important in a free society,” she says.
TSP was originated by University of Washington Professor David Silver in 2004 and in three years has flourished into an international event in which more than 400 libraries will participate this year.
“Libraries are keystones in free and democratic societies,” explains Joyce Ogburn, director of the Marriott Library, “which is why libraries take the lead in providing venues for thought-provoking events dealing with the democratic process and civic engagement.”
During the month of September, the Marriott Library will collaborate with the U’s Vote Project , Hinckley Institute of Politics and the Associated Students of the University of Utah (ASUU), to offer three lectures on campus.
On Sept. 11, Joseph Vogel, author of the book “Free Speech 101: the Utah Valley Uproar over Michael Moore,” will speak about the experience of bringing Michael Moore to the Utah Valley State College (UVSC) campus. A graduate from UVSC, Vogel is a graduate student and adjunct professor at Brigham Young University. In 2004, Vogel was the recipient of UVSC”s Martin Luther King, Jr. Award. He was then honored as the 2005-2006 Utah Valley State Scholar of the Year. Vogel will speak at 11:45 a.m. in the Hinckley Institute of Politics Caucus Room, 255 Orson Spencer Hall.
On Sept. 20, an ASUU-sponsored lecture, “The U.S. Immigration Debate: Local Issues and Global Implications,” will feature Rachel Swarns, Washington correspondent for The New York Times. Swarns will speak at noon in Libby Gardner Hall.
On Sept. 21, Thomas Mann, author of “The Broken Branch: How Congress is Failing America and How to Get it Back on Track,” will speak about the role and history of the U.S. Congress, its current condition and its effect on citizen involvement in the democratic process. The lecture will be held from 10:45 a.m. until noon, in the Hinckley Institute of Politics Caucus Room, 255 Orson Spencer Hall.
As part of TSP, “Democracy and Informed Citizenry” book displays can be found just inside the entrances on the first and third floors of the Marriott Library.
For more information on TSP, visit www.lib.utah.edu/theseptemberproject or call 801-585-9521.