Leander Library Gets $2K Grant To Promote 'Great American Read'

LEANDER, TX — The Leander Public Library recently was awarded a $2,000 grant to host public programs centered around "The Great American Read," an eight-part PBS television and online series aimed at sparking a national conversation about reading.

Awarded by the American Library Association and Public Broadcasting Service, the grant also furthers dialogue about the books that have inspired readers in a way that was life-shaping, officials noted.

Leander Public Library was one of only three libraries in Texas and 50 libraries nationwide selected by ALA for the award.

• ALA news release(link is external)
• List of selected libraries(link is external)

In addition to grant funding, the library will receive a programming kit developed by ALA and PBS to help public libraries participate in a national conversation about reading and books, including those featured in the series that highlight the themes of love, heroes, villains, other worlds and self discovery, library officials said in a press advisory

“We’re so excited to bring this programming to Leander,” Elissa Blackstone, project coordinator at Leander Public Library, said in a prepared statement. "We are proud to have been chosen and can’t wait to get our patrons involved in this celebration of books.”

"The Great American Read" events

There are several upcoming events planned in observance of "The Great American Read." Among them:

• Activities for "The Great American Read" will begin at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, at Leander Public Library with an advance screening of the series' premiere episode, accompanied by light refreshments and other children’s activities. The library will also host similar “sneak peek” screenings of subsequent episodes before they are broadcast to the public later this summer and fall.
• Scheduled to begin broadcasting nationwide on May 22, “The Great American Read” television series will engage audiences with a list of 100 diverse books, encouraging audiences to read the books, vote from the list of 100, and share their personal connections to the titles.
• Later this summer and fall, seven new episodes will air, featuring appearances by celebrities, athletes, experts, authors and everyday Americans advocating for their favorite book, culminating with a finale that reveals America’s best-loved novel as chosen by the American public.

The Leander Public Library is located at 1011 S Bagdad Rd. Its hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 12-6 p.m. Sunday.

>>> Image courtesy of Leander Public Library