WBL hosting democracy TED talk symposium
Bonner County Daily Bee | UPDATED 3 weeks, 3 days AGO
(Photo courtesy WEST BONNER LIBRARY DISTRICT)
The West Bonner Library is proudly leading the community's celebration of America's semi-quincentennial.
As ambassadors for the Idaho's Oral History Project, WBL director Meagan Mize said the libraries are spearheading efforts in North Idaho to contribute to the state's rich historical archives. Notably, it is the only library in Idaho selected to receive the Ken Burns American Revolution PBS grant, which provided early access and exclusive screenings of this groundbreaking documentary.
On Saturday, June 13, 2026, Priest River Library will host a free livestream of "TED Democracy Philadelphia: Founding Futures," a daylong symposium featuring more than 15 original TED Talks focused on the future of democracy. The symposium begins at 11 a.m. and will be held at the Priest River Library, 118 Main St.
The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
Streaming live from Philadelphia leading up to America’s 250th birthday celebrations, this landmark event convenes bold thinkers and civic leaders to share ideas and solutions designed to inform and inspire, Mize said.
Through a collaboration with Visit Philadelphia and the American Library Association, and sponsored by The Pew Charitable Trusts, libraries across the country are hosting satellite livestream events — expanding access to these critical conversations and fostering local engagement nationwide.
"The West Bonner Library District is proud to serve as a host site, the only one in the state of Idaho participating in bringing this national civic moment to the local community," Mize said.
Our current and upcoming initiatives include:
• Moments that Made US Exhibit: This display is currently on view and will remain at the Priest River Library for the next few months before transitioning to the East Bonner Library.
• TED Democracy Philadelphia Live Stream: On June 13, the Priest River Library will serve as the exclusive host in Idaho for this live-streamed event.
• Declaration of Independence reading: On July 8, 2026, the library will join sites across the nation in a public reading of the Declaration of Independence. This event, held in front of the library on Main Street, commemorates the 250th anniversary of the first public oral reading on July 8, 1776.