Centralia Regional Library District (CRLD) has been selected to host a three-part reading and discussion series called the “Great Stories CLUB.” The library is one of 150 libraries nationwide receiving a grant from the American Library Association (ALA) to host this series, developed by the ALA Public Programs Office (PPO) and Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). Funding was provided for this program by Oprah’s Angel Network. Local support for the series is provided by One Hope United, Friends of the Centralia Regional Library District and Centralia Business & Professional Women.

The Great Stories CLUB (Connecting Libraries, Underserved teens and Books) is a book discussion program created to provide troubled teens with an opportunity to read and discuss books that are relevant to the challenges in their lives. Each title selected for the program relates to the theme “Second Chances.” As a recipient of this grant from ALA, Centralia Regional Library District will receive programming resources as well as copies of the following books for distribution to teen participants:

• “Hate List” by Jennifer Brown
• “Dope Sick” by Walter Dean Myers
• “The Brothers Torres” by Coert Voorheers

The first program will explore “Hate List” by Jennifer Brown and will be held in February. All programs will be held at One Hope United’s Centralia campus. Additional books will be discussed at One Hope United in March and May. Rita Lewis, CRLD Youth Services Librarian will lead a discussion of the book at each session.

For more information about the Great Stories Club at Centralia Regional Library District, contact Rita Lewis. For information about the Great Stories CLUB national initiative, visit www.ala.org/greatstories.

More information on library programs and Friends of the Library can be found at www.centralialibrary.org or by calling the Main Library at 532-5222. Visit www.onehopeunited.wpengine.com for information on One Hope United and www.bpwcentralia.org for Centralia Business & Professional Women.