Wisconsin Libraries Win ALA Great Stories CLUB Grants

Seven Wisconsin libraries have won ALA Great Stories CLUB grants to serve troubled teens. The American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office and the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) have announced that 237 libraries were selected to receive Great Stories CLUB grants, which will support book discussion programs targeting troubled teens. Among those selected to receive grants, 53 sites will additionally receive small cash grants to support program-related expenses. Funding was provided for this program by Oprah's Angel Network.

Wisconsin public libraries receiving the grants are Frederic, Milton, and Platteville. School libraries receiving the grants are Verona Integrated Program, Harvey Philip Charter School in Waukesha, Waunakee High School, and the Detention Center School in Wauwatosa. Congratulations to these libraries! The complete list of winners is at http://www.ala.org/greatstories.

Launched in 2005, the Great Stories CLUB (Connecting Libraries, Underserved teens and Books) is a reading and discussion program designed to reach underserved, troubled teen populations through books that are relevant to their lives. Participating libraries will receive 11 sets of three theme-related books to provide to members of a book club. They will also have access to a variety of online resources, designed to help plan and implement programming.

All types of libraries located within or working in partnership with facilities serving troubled teens (such as juvenile detention centers or alternative high schools) in the United States and its territories are eligible to apply. ALA will begin accepting applications for the next round of Great Stories CLUB grants in September 2009. YALSA's Outreach to Young Adults with Special Needs Committee selected "Breaking Boundaries" as the 2009 Great Stories Club theme, along with the following titles:
"Luna" by Julie Anne Peters (Little, Brown Young Readers, 2004) "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie (Little, Brown Young Readers, 2007) "Black and White" by Paul Volponi (Viking Juvenile, 2005)

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For questions about this information, contact Barbara A. Huntington (608) 267-5077

Last updated on 1/23/2009 12:46:44 PM