Grant will allow librarians to lead book clubs with underserved teens
The Ypsilanti District Library (YDL) has been selected as one of 58 libraries nationwide to take part in the Great Stories Club, a reading and discussion program for underserved teens. This competitive grant is offered by the American Library Association (ALA) with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).
“We are very excited to make this opportunity available for at-risk youth in Ypsilanti,” said YDL Teen Librarian Kelly Scott, who managed the grant application.
As part of the Great Stories Club, staff from YDL will work with a small group of teens to read and discuss stories that explore questions of race, equity, identity and history. Book discussions will be led by experienced YDL teen librarians in cooperation with staff from the Ozone House. YDL has worked with Ozone House in the past on programs like PrideZone and the Noise Permit arts celebration.
There are two themes for the book clubs. The books curated for the theme “Finding Your Voice: Speaking Truth to Power” will include The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo; I Am Alfonso Jones by Tony Medina; American Street by Ibi Zoboi; and Anger Is a Gift by Mark Oshiro.
The books curated for the theme “Deeper than Our Skins: The Present Is a Conversation with the Past” will include Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates; Dreaming in Indian: Contemporary Native American Voices, edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale; Mother of the Sea by Zetta Elliott; and Always Running: La Vida Loca: Gang Days in L.A. by Luis J. Rodriguez.
“The selected titles thoughtfully align with the themes of this Great Stories Book Club and will provide thought-provoking conversations that are extremely relevant to today’s teens,” Scott said, “Hopefully this will empower positive change and growth not only for the young adults involved, but for the community at large.”
The titles were selected to inspire young people — especially those facing difficult circumstances or challenges — to consider “big questions” about the world around them and their place in it.
YDL received two $500 programming stipends, one per theme, and 11 copies of each of the selected books, which will be gifted to the book club participants. YDL will also receive online training and an array of program resources and support throughout the grant term.
Gatherings of the Great Stories Club at YDL will begin October 3. More information, including how to register and participate, will be available at ypsilibrary.org or by contacting 734-482-4110 x 1329.
Since 2006, ALA’s Great Stories Club has helped libraries engage young adults with accessible, thought-provoking literature. To learn more about the Great Stories Club, please visit ala.org/greatstories.