This new digital-first series, hosted by IMLS Director Crosby Kemper explores the people, places and stories that have contributed to the America experience today.

Watch the PBS Books interview tomorrow at PBSBooks.org or on the PBS Books Facebook  or YouTube

PBS Books is partnering with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), a federal government cultural grant-making agency, to produce “Visions of America: All Stories, All People, All Places,” a digital-first series of videos and conversations that explores our nation with a renewed interest in the places, people, and stories that have contributed to the America we live in today.

Tomorrow at 8 p.m. ET, PBS Books is proud to present an interview with IMLS Director Crosby Kemper in anticipation of this upcoming series, “Visions of America,” airing on PBS this fall. In addition, there will be two more virtual conversations this summer providing an opportunity for Americans to celebrate America250, the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding.

America250 is a multiyear effort to commemorate the Semiquincentennial, or 250th anniversary, of the U.S. This effort is being led at the national level by the non-partisan U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, created by Congress, and its supporting nonprofit America250 Foundation. The commemoration period began in 2020, culminates on July 4, 2026, and officially concludes in 2027.

PBS Books host Heather Montilla sits down with Kemper to discuss America 250 and the importance of museums and libraries as places for the freedom of exchanging ideas and their essential roles in elevating American citizenry. Watch the interview here.

The pair will explore the role of IMLS in planning America250, and what role IMLS will continue to play nationally between now and 2026, the year of the U.S. Semiquincentennial anniversary, and why it’s important for American citizens to participate in America250.

The two also dive into original documents of our American history. They discuss how libraries and museums have taken a critical role in the process, which original documents Kemper considers most significant, and how American civic life sprung from these documents.

As they examine American civic life, Kemper shares his insight on what it means to be an American citizen today compared to the country foundation and what he deems as the most crucial elements of American civic life. They also discuss the naturalization process, how libraries and museums are involved and the biggest hurdles for the America250 effort.

Lastly, they talk about “Visions of America,” the inspiration to create the project and the significance for launching it at this point in time.

There will be two additional virtual conversations to follow with topics for discussions including:

• Wednesday, July 19 at 8 p.m. ET: The durability of the U.S. Constitution and how the America250’s “We the People” theme can initiate conversations about the Constitution’s relevance in a changing world
• Wednesday, August: 16 at 8 p.m. ET: Drawing on the America250 theme “Unfinished Revolutions,” the conversation will mark the 75^th anniversary of the desegregation of the military, its impact on civil rights and the definition of citizenship.

Then beginning in fall 2023, Kemper will lead a video tour through three lesser-known historical sites that symbolize an aspect of the spirit of America’s independence. The half-hour episodes include notable historians and authors who will share the tales and themes that reverberate inside the walls of these institutions. Viewers will explore the cities these organizations call home to showcase what makes each of these communities so important to America’s identity.

In addition to the programs themselves, Detroit Public TV and PBS Books plans to distribute “Visions of America” series to interested PBS stations as well as through the PBS app. Classroom resources will be developed to be used by teachers across the country.

Kemper is the sixth director of IMLS, commissioned by the White House on January 24, 2020. IMLS, an independent government agency, is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s museums and libraries.

Kemper is a dedicated advocate for education and learning for people of all ages and backgrounds. He comes to IMLS from the Kansas City Public Library, where as director, he established the library as one of the city’s leading cultural destinations and a hub of community engagement. During his tenure, the Kansas City Public Library received multiple awards, including IMLS’s National Medal for Museum and Library Service in 2008.

Kemper’s career began in banking; he most recently served as CEO of UMB Financial Corporation. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Yale University.

PBS Books is a national engagement initiative of Detroit Public TV that partners with local public television stations, producer, important voices, libraries, museums, and community organizations across the country.