Do you love reading and want to help young people in your community love it as well?
The American Library Association (ALA) is accepting applications through July 9 for the Great Stories Club, a grant program in which library workers lead book club programs with underserved teens.
Working with small groups of teens, grantees will host reading and discussion programs for up to four thematically related books — chosen by librarians and scholars to resonate with reluctant readers struggling with complex issues like academic probation, detention, incarceration, violence and poverty.
Up to 150 libraries will be selected. All types of libraries are eligible, as long as they work in partnership with, or are located within, organizations that serve under-resourced youth. Read the full project guidelines.
Choose one or both of the following themes:
- “Empathy: The Cost of Switching Sides” (View titles)
- “What Makes a Hero? Self, Society and Rising to the Occasion” (View titles)
Benefits include:
- 11 copies of each of the selected titles (10 to gift to participants, one for the library collection)
- Travel and accommodation expenses paid for one library staff member to attend a project orientation workshop in Chicago. (Libraries selected to implement both themes may be assigned to attend only one workshop)
- Additional training, resources and support
Visit apply.ala.org/greatstories for full project guidelines and to apply online. Apply by July 9, 2018. Questions? Contact ALA’s Public Programs Office at publicprograms@ala.org.