Saturday morning I attended a program put on by the ALA Public Programs Office on their new initative: grants to libraries to present scholar-led reading and discussion programs on the theme of love and forgiveness in public libraries across the country.

Like previous Let’s Discuss It programs, the Office has partnered with another organization, this time the Fetzer Institute, to develop several series of themed book discussions to be led by humanities scholars in each community. An RFP for thirty $ 2500 grants will be available at the ALA link above on Feb. 4. With only thirty grants available, competition is expected to be fierce, but libraries are free to use the materials on their own without the grant.

The theme actually includes three subthemes, any of which a library may take up. They are Love and Forgiveness in the Presence of the Enemy; Love and Forgiveness in the Light of Death; and Love, Forgiveness and Wisdom. Each theme is developed by five books (all available in inexpensive paperback) and essays written by scholars on each book. The local humanities scholar engaged by the library is expected to develop very brief lectures on each book and faciliate discussion.

The grant is meant to cover purchase of the books, duplication of essays, marketing, honoraria for the scholar, travel to a training program to be held in Chicago in the Fall, and marketing of the program. Participating libraries are expected to develop partnerships with other community organizations to market and deliver the program. The terms of the grant are quite strict though some adaptation to local circumstances is anticipated. Libraries will likely need to come up with matching funds or in-kind services to accomplish the program.

Libraries do not need to receive a grant in order to make use of the materials. If fact, those libraries will have more freedom to adapt the program to their own needs, though they will forego the training and other technical assistance (and, of course, the $2500).

In addition to this theme, several other previously developed themes with book lists, essays and other supporting materials are supported at the Let’s Talk About It website.