Librarians Selected for 2026 Library of Congress Summer Institute

Emily Woodward, Lower School Library/Media Specialist, and Maia Haj, Upper School Librarian, were selected from nearly 200 applicants to participate in the 2026 Library of Congress Summer Teacher Institute in Washington, D.C.

 

The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library and serves as the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Its collections offer access to the creative record of the United States, as well as extensive materials from around the world, both on-site and online.

 

Each year, the Library of Congress invites a select group of K–16 educators to participate in its teacher institutes, where educators work with Library specialists and subject-matter experts to explore effective ways to use primary sources in the classroom. During the three-day program, participants examined the Library’s vast collections of historical documents and artifacts and developed strategies for incorporating these resources into their teaching.

 

Teaching with primary sources encourages students to ask meaningful questions, develop critical-thinking skills, and construct knowledge through direct engagement with historical materials. The institute brought together educators from across the country, including classroom teachers, school librarians, media specialists and administrators representing a wide range of schools and educational settings.

 

For Emily, the experience offered both professional inspiration and an opportunity to connect with fellow educators. “I am grateful to have attended the summer institute,” she said. “I appreciate getting to know other educators in person, as well as seeing what a large and varied collection the Library of Congress has. The engaging lesson examples were a wonderful introduction to how primary sources can be used in the classroom.”

 

Emily and Maia will bring the strategies and resources they explored at the institute back to Baldwin, helping students engage with primary sources and the rich historical collections available through the Library of Congress.