Ten Public Libraries Nationwide Receive NEH Support for Reading-and-Discussion Programs

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) today announced that 10 public libraries throughout the nation have received $1,000 each to conduct a reading-and-discussion program called Let's Talk About It.

Let's Talk About It is a highly successful, nationally distributed book-discussion program pioneered by the American Library Association in the early 1980s with support from NEH. The program focuses on scholar-led discussions of series of books organized according to specific themes. Over the past 15 years, Let's Talk About It has been adopted and adapted by hundreds of libraries nationwide.

Each library has chosen one thematic series of the four that have been developed for Let's Talk About It: The Next Generation. The themes are "Readings for the Millennium," "Literature and Culture of African American Migration," "Children's Classics for Adults," and "Latino Literature in the U.S." The libraries will hold discussion sessions for reading group participants over the course of several weeks.

"Americans have always had an affinity for telling stories, about ourselves and our history," said NEH Chairman William R. Ferris. "Programs like Let's Talk About It uphold beloved traditions such as storytelling and also broaden our cultural horizons. NEH library grants enable people to explore the complexities of American culture, to remember our nation's past, and to imagine where we might be headed in the new millennium. Past, present and future find common ground in our local libraries, where outstanding reading-and-discussion programs offer focus and insight."

Libraries receiving grants are:

ALASKA

• Fairbanks, Fairbanks North Star Borough Public Library
  $1,000
  PROJECT DIRECTOR: Georgine N. Olson, (907) 459-1020
  PROJECT TITLE: Let's Talk About It, a scholar-led reading and discussion program
  TOPIC: "Readings for the Millennium"

COLORADO

• Durango, Durango Public Library
  $1,000
  PROJECT DIRECTOR: Paula A. LaFrenierre, (970) 385-2970
  PROJECT TITLE: Let's Talk About It, a scholar-led reading and discussion program
  TOPIC: "Children's Classics for Adults"

FLORIDA

• Orlando, Orange County Library System
  $1,000
  PROJECT DIRECTOR: Marilyn M. Hoffman, (407) 835-7480
  PROJECT TITLE: Let's Talk About It, a scholar-led reading and discussion program
  TOPIC: "Children's Classics for Adults"

MISSOURI

• Kansas City, Kansas City Public Library
  $1,000
  PROJECT DIRECTOR: Robert F. Lunn, (816) 701-3555
  PROJECT TITLE: Let's Talk About It, a scholar-led reading and discussion program
  TOPIC: "Latino Literature in the US"

NEW YORK

• Syracuse, Onondaga County Public Library
  $1,000
  PROJECT DIRECTOR: Kate McCaffrey, (315) 435-4775
  PROJECT TITLE: Let's Talk About It, a scholar-led reading and discussion program
  TOPIC: "Children's Classics for Adults"

NORTH CAROLINA

• Asheville, Asheville-Buncombe Library System
  $1,000
  PROJECT DIRECTOR: Peggy D. Weaver, (828) 251-4990
  PROJECT TITLE: Let's Talk About It, a scholar-led reading and discussion program
  TOPIC: "Latino Literature in the US"

OHIO

• Fairport Harbor, Fairport Public Library
  $1,000
  PROJECT DIRECTOR: Cathy Norman, (440) 354-8191
  PROJECT TITLE: Let's Talk About It, a scholar-led reading and discussion program
  TOPICS: "Children's Classics for Adults"
• Painesville, Morley Library
  $1,000
  PROJECT DIRECTOR: Anthony C. Petruzz, (440) 352-3383
  PROJECT TITLE: Let's Talk About It, a scholar-led reading and discussion program
  TOPIC: "Children's Classics for Adults" and "Latino Literature in the US"

OREGON

• McMinnville, McMinnville Public Library
  $1,000
  PROJECT DIRECTOR: Dee Goldman, (503) 662-3908
  PROJECT TITLE: Let's Talk About It, a scholar-led reading and discussion program
  TOPIC: "Latino Literature in the US"

TENNESSEE

• LaVergne, LaVergne Public Library
  $1,000
  PROJECT DIRECTOR: Lisa Hoover, (615) 793-7303
  PROJECT TITLE: Let's Talk About It, a scholar-led reading and discussion program
  TOPIC: "Literature and Culture of African American Migration"