Library hand-copying program seeks to engage patrons with the U.S. Constitution

MILLBROOK — Engagement with the U.S. Constitution is the simple aim of a July program at The Millbrook Library, where each Saturday of the month library visitors can use the paper and pen provided to hand-copy the words of the historic document.

The first such session was held on Saturday, July 5, between noon and 3 p.m.The program will repeat each Saturday through July.

Leading the program is Jason Wagner, of Millbrook and the Bronx, who serves as Principal at Pelham Lab High School, a small public school in the Bronx.

An April article in the New Yorker magazine served as inspiration for the Millbrook Library’s program, Wagner said. He had read about a professional artist who had been the first to conceive of the idea and carry it out at the New York Public Library.

“She sparked it,” Wagner said. The goal is engagement to engender a knowledge of the Constitution.

“This is a really interesting way to dive deep into it. That’s why I’m writing in cursive,” said Jen McCreery, Adult Programs Coordinator for the library. She noted that the library is finding ways to both celebrate Independence Day, leading into next year’s observance of the 250th anniversary of the Revolution.

“This program is a good fit,” McCreery said.

Understanding the provisions of the Constitution is incredibly important, Wagner said.

“Our rights and responsibilities as citizens require constant vigilance, mandating that we understand the document,” Wagner added.

“People are aware of certain parts, but not aware of all of them,” McCreery said, noting that few have read it all the way through.

Interesting to see when reading or copying the document is the randomness of the capitalization and how spelling is not completely formalized. As an example, early on the word “choose” is spelled “chuse.”

Noting that the program serves children well as they handwrite the document, McCreery said that as interest grows, it might become an annual event in July.