The American Library Association is sponsoring grants for libraries to conduct book clubs with underserved teens:

“Working with small groups of teens, grantees will host reading and discussion programs for up to four thematically related books. The titles—selected in consultation with librarian advisors and humanities scholars—are chosen to resonate with reluctant readers struggling with complex issues like academic probation, detention, incarceration, violence and poverty.”

Grantees will have a chance to attend an orientation in Chicago (expenses paid), 11 copies of four books, and additional training and resources.  

Several years ago, the Frederic Public Library received one of these grants to conduct a discussion group in collaboration with the Northwest Passage in-patient treatment facility in their area.  That discussion group, despite no longer being funded by the grant, is still going.  This is a terrific opportunity to reach out to teens in your area who might be falling through the cracks.

If you are interested in applying, but feeling nervous or want some help in thinking about how to do it, please let me know.  I’d love to brainstorm with you at the beginning and look at a draft of your application (due July 9), if you want.

I know summer is busy, but this is the kind of program that might make a difference in your career, and more importantly,  in the lives of some of the teens who need it.