The National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association have awarded the Newton County Library System with a second "We the People" Bookshelf Grant.

Director of the library's children's services department, Carol Durusau, explained how each year the ALA chooses a set of books which exemplify themes of United States' founding documents to give to libraries.

"We never turn anything like that down," Durusau said, "and they're all very good books, usually classics that have stood the test of time that you could always use another copy of at the library."

Children this year will read and be read books related to the 2007 theme - "The Pursuit of Happiness."

More than 2,000 libraries throughout the country received the set of books chosen for this year.

The library will host two readings when the books arrive in September. The elementary program will be held at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 12 in the Children's Room at the library, and the middle and high school program will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 13 in the Young Adult area.

Durusau said she will invite local officials, celebrities and others to read a selection from one of the books.

"Then they'll all talk about what the pursuit of happiness means to them," Durusau said.

For more information about the grant, books or readings call (770) 385-6444 or visit www.wethepeople.gov.