(Connecting Libraries, Underserved teens and Books)

The Great Stories CLUB (Connecting Libraries, Underserved teens, and Books) is a book club grant program organized by the American Library Association Public Programs Office (PPO), in cooperation with the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). Major funding for the Great Stories Club has been provided by Oprah's Angel Network.

About the Program

The Great Stories Club is a reading and discussion program that targets underserved, troubled teen populations. The program reaches teens through books that are relevant to their lives, inviting them to read and keep the books, and encourages them to consider and discuss each title with a group of their peers. It seeks to show that reading can be a source of pleasure, a tool for self-exploration, and a meaningful way to connect to the wider world. Its ultimate goal is to inspire young adults who face difficult situations to take control of their lives by embracing the power of reading.

The program is built on partnerships between libraries and a variety of organizations that serve troubled teens, including juvenile justice facilities, alternative high schools, drug rehabilitation centers, nonprofits serving teen parents, and other agencies.

Applications and Eligibility

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. Grant applications will be available online from December 1, 2007 – February 1, 2008. Awards will be announced by March 1, 2008. Additional deadlines will be offered in November 2008 and November 2009.

Selected libraries will present a three-part book club discussion program featuring three theme-related books selected by YALSA for teen audiences. Programs will take place in libraries or their partner facilities April - November 2008.

Successful Applicants Will Receive

Libraries awarded this grant will receive eleven sets of the three books to provide to members of the book club (33 books in all), along with online resources to plan and implement the program. Book selections, theme and program support materials are being developed by YALSA's Outreach to Young Adults with Special Needs Committee. The 2008 theme and book titles will be posted by December 1, 2007.

Please contact publicprograms@ala.org with any questions about this program.