We are honored to share that the Cotsen Foundation for the ART of TEACHING is a 2024 Library of Congress Successful Practice Award winner! As part of this recognition, Dr. Julie Graham, Cotsen Associate Director of the Cotsen Foundation, and Carlen Le-Hessinger, and Senior Program Officer, participated in the recent Library of Congress Literacy Awards Regional Gathering held on June 6, 2025, in Seattle, Washington.
Hosted at the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library, the gathering brought together past Literacy Award winners, honorees, and affiliated programs from across the western region. The event provided a unique opportunity for participants to connect, share insights, and collaborate on addressing programmatic challenges. Attendees engaged in deep discussions, exchanged valuable tips, and forged stronger relationships within the Literacy Awards network and with the Library of Congress’ Affiliated Center for the Book. This event was a significant step in furthering community building and collaboration among literacy leaders in the region. For more information on the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, visit: https://www.loc.gov/programs/center-for-the-book/about-this-program/.
Participants also heard from Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) Teacher Network members, who shared how educators can use Library of Congress digital collections to teach diverse topics such as civics, journalism, STEM, and ethnic studies. The TPS program supports a wide range of learners and communities, helping educators bring history to life with rich, authentic resources. To explore TPS classroom resources, visit https://www.loc.gov/programs/teachers/about-this-program/.
(Left to right) Judy Lee, James Santos, Carlen Le-Hessinger, Dr. Julie Graham, and Dr. Don Vu
