Altadena Library District receives Great Stories Club grant from the American Library Association
Grant will allow librarians to lead book clubs with underserved teens
The Altadena Library District has been selected as one of 100 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.
Teen Librarian Kate Shumaker will work with teens at Day One Pasadena to read and discuss stories that explore the concept of empathy.
The books — curated for the theme “Empathy: The Cost of Switching Sides” — will be chosen from titles selected in consultation with humanities scholars and librarians to inspire teens — especially those facing difficult circumstances or challenges — to consider “big questions” about the world around them and their place in it, ultimately affecting how they view themselves as thinkers and creators.
As part of the grant, Altadena Library District will receive 11 copies of each of the selected books, which will be gifted to the book club participants. The District will also receive resources and training, including travel and accommodations for an orientation workshop in Chicago. The workshops will include dialogue facilitation training led by consultants to Everyday Democracy and program modeling led by national project scholars Maria Sachiko Cecire (Bard College) and Anna Mae Duane (University of Connecticut).
About the American Library Association
The American Library Association (ALA) is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, the ALA has been the trusted voice for academic, public, school, government and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library’s role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit ala.org.