The American Library Association (ALA) is accepting applications for the Great Stories Club, a grant program in which library workers lead reading and discussion programs with underserved teens in their communities.

Application and guidelines: https://apply.ala.org/greatstories
Deadline: July 9, 2018

Grantees will receive:

• 11 paperback copies of up to four book selections (10 to gift to participants; one for discussion leader/library collection)
• Travel and accommodation expenses paid for one staff member to attend a 1½-day project orientation workshop in Chicago
• Programming materials, including discussion guides, related reading lists and promotional resources

Watch this webinar recording to get...

• An overview of the Great Stories Club program and application process
• A review of the grant requirements
• Instructions for the online application process, including the option to apply for two Great Stories Club grants at once and select 3-4 books from a longer reading list
• Strategies for establishing or stengthening a community outreach partnership

Working with small groups of approximately 10 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.

All types of libraries are eligible, as long as they work in partnership with, or are located within, organizations that serve under-resourced youth, such as alternative high schools, juvenile justice organizations, homeless shelters, foster care agencies, teen parenting programs, residential treatment facilities and other nonprofit and community agencies. Libraries located in high-poverty communities are also eligible to apply, though outreach partnerships with youth-focused organizations are still encouraged.

Resources:
• Apply now for the Great Stories Club, a reading and discussion programs for underserved teens
• Great Stories Club website
• webinar recording

Photo credit: Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library in Topeka, KS via Flickr, Creative Commons License 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0); photo was modified by cropping and resizing image