BURLEY – What was your first job? What was the hourly wage? Burley Public Library, in cooperation with the Idaho Humanities Council, will help to explore these questions through The Way We Worked, a unique Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibit, which will be on view at Burley Public Library beginning February 4th and continuing through March 17th.
The exhibit, adapted from an original exhibit developed by the National Archives, explains how work became a central element in American culture by tracing the many changes that affected the workforce and work environments over the last 150 years. The Way We Worked focuses on the reasons we work, where we work, how we work and more.
The exhibit offers many interactive opportunities for visitors using both audio and video. The exhibit also features a cell phone-based audio tour. Eight different points in the exhibit will prompt visitors to call in to hear additional exhibit information and respond to questions about what they’ve heard or tell a story of their own history with work.
“Burley Public Library is pleased to have been selected to host The Way We Worked,” said Valerie Bame, Children’s Librarian.
“This exhibit will allow visitors to explore the work history of America and of the Mini-Cassia area. The Way We Worked should be of interest to everyone, young and old alike. Everyone is invited and welcome to visit the exhibit. The exhibit and all related programs are free to those who attend.”
Burley Public Library will also exhibit photographs collected through The Way We Worked photo contest in a local companion exhibit. The library has gathered over 100 photos of work in the Mini-Cassia area.
“We were pleased with the amount of interest the contest generated. Local banks generously donated money for cash awards and we collected some wonderful images of work that will be preserved at the library, the county museum and the Idaho State Historical Society,” said Bame.
The local exhibit will also feature historical photographs of work in the Mini-Cassia area from the early 20th century.
Related programming will be offered at the library, including an Afterschool Program for kids, book club reading, lectures, storytime and special opening program February 4th featuring Keith Petersen, State Historian and Associate Director of the Idaho State Historical Society. Additional information for the exhibit or programs can be found by calling 878-7708 or by visiting www.bplibrary.org.
The Way We Worked has been made possible at Burley Public Library by the Idaho Humanities Council. The Way We Worked, an exhibition created by the National Archives, is part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and State Humanities Councils nationwide. Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress.
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The tenth CD/booklet issued by the Idaho Songs Project, “The Way We Worked in Idaho”, now is available through CD baby. Samples of the 23 songs and one poem written by early working men and women of idaho can be heard at at http://www.cdbaby.com. Individual tracks can be purchased and downloaded from this site, or the 56-page booklet with CD can be bought from cdbaby or from the Idaho Songs Project. The songs were performed by Idahoans from across the state.
This project supports the Smithsonian Travelling Exhibit on American labor touring Idaho in 2011/2012.