Great Stories CLUB Grants - Nov. 19 deadline

Posted Thursday, September 16, 2010 by Faye Roberts, Reader

The ALA Public Programs Office and the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) are now accepting applications for the next round of Great Stories CLUB  grants. Electronic applications for the reading and discussion series will be accepted through November 19 at www.ala.org/greatstories. Funding was provided for this program by Oprah’s Angel Network.

 

The Great Stories CLUB (Connecting Libraries, Underserved teens and Books) is a book club program designed to reach underserved, troubled teen populations through books that are relevant to their lives. All types of libraries (public, school, academic and special) located within or working in partnership with facilities serving troubled teens in the United States and its territories are eligible to apply for a Great Stories CLUB grant. Potential organizations for Great Stories CLUB partnership include juvenile justice facilities, drug rehabilitation centers, nonprofits serving teen parents, alternative high schools, agencies serving teenaged foster children, shelters serving homeless and runaway youth and other agencies. For tips on creating a partnership, visit www.ala.org/greatstories.

 

Following the application process, 150 libraries will be selected to develop a book discussion program for troubled teens based on the three theme-related titles and will be given copies of the books to share with participants. Participating libraries will also receive access to an online toolkit to support the program, including sample discussion questions, recommended titles for further reading and other resources. Small cash grants ($100-$200) will be awarded to up to 25 sites for the support of program-related expenses.

 

YALSA’s Outreach to Young Adults with Special Needs Interest Group selected “Second Chances” as the Great Stories CLUB theme, along with the following titles:

·         Hate List by Jennifer Brown (Little, Brown Books, 2009)

·         Dope Sick by Walter Dean Myers (Amistad, 2009)

·         The Brothers Torres by Coert Voorhees (Hyperion, 2009)

 

For more information on the Great Stories CLUB, including guidelines, book descriptions and reviews, application instructions and feedback from past participants, visit www.ala.org/greatstories.