[Publib] Talk About Graphic Novels @ your library - Apply by 12/3

[Lainie Castle]

Grants available for final round of renowned “Let’s Talk About It:
Jewish Literature –Identity and Imagination” reading and discussion
series

CHICAGO - The American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office
(PPO) and Nextbook, an organization dedicated to promoting Jewish
culture, arts and ideas, are pleased to announce a new round of grants
for, “Let’s Talk About It: Jewish Literature - Identity and
Imagination,” a theme-based reading and discussion series.  Public and
academic libraries are encouraged to apply for this final round of
grants under the “Jewish Literature: Identity and Imagination
theme.”

Based on the “Let’s Talk About It” reading and discussion series
model introduced nationally by ALA in 1982, “Let’s Talk About It:
Jewish Literature” features scholar-led discussions that delve into
first-rate contemporary and classic Jewish literature.  Over the past
four years, more than 250 “Let’s Talk About It: Jewish Literature”
grants have been awarded to libraries in 43 states nationwide. 
Participating libraries will each host a five-part discussion series
featuring one of six themes.  Among these is “Modern Marvels: Jewish
Adventures in the Graphic Novel” theme, marking the first national
reading and discussion theme devoted to graphic novels.   The book
selections featured for the “Modern Marvels” theme are:

●	“A Contract With God,” by Will Eisner
●	“Maus I/II,” by Art Spiegelman
●	“Julius Knipl, Real Estate Photographer: Stories,” by Ben
Katchor
●	“The Quitter,” by Harvey Pekar
●	“The Rabbi’s Cat,” by Joann Sfar

Each library selected for the grant will receive:
●	A $2,500 grant to support program costs and scholar honoraria.
●	Training for the library project director at a national training
workshop, where they will hear from project scholars, past participants
and organizers and receive a program planning guide, materials and
ideas.
●	Program materials and information, including access to a
site-support Web site, featuring introductory literature on each of the
books, promotional materials and selections for additional reading.

The final round of “Let’s Talk About It: Jewish Literature -
Identity and Imagination” grants will be awarded in 2008.  Libraries
that received a past grant and completed a “Let’s Talk About It:
Jewish Literature” series are eligible to apply for a single-series
grant of $2,500, or a two-series $5,000 grant.  **Complete guidelines
and the application are available at www.ala.org/publicprograms or
www.nextbook.org/ala.  Applications are due by December 3, 2007.**

“Let’s Talk About It: Jewish Literature - Identity and
Imagination” is funded by a multi-year grant from Nextbook.  For
more information, please visit www.ala.org/publicprograms or
www.nextbook.org/ala.

**********************************
ALA Public Programs Office
http://www.ala.org/publicprograms 
publicprograms at ala.org 
800/545-2433, extension 5045