Reading America

Tensions among generations can flare in all communities, especially in those with strong immigration, as teens adapt to their new culture and language more easily than their elders. What can public libraries do to foster greater understanding and communication between cultures, youth, and adults? From 2001–2005, LFF’s Reading America provided libraries with training, program resources, and support for implementing multicultural, intergenerational programs tailored to local needs, taking advantage of the libraries’ neutral ground. Today, insights from that program can help libraries launch their own Reading America programs (download the Reading America Toolkit, right).
Reading America helps libraries:

• use literature, film, and the neutral ground of the library to spark cross-cultural, cross-generational discussion;

• expand outreach to new communities;

• build partnerships among libraries and community organizations;

• become true community centers in communities experiencing significant demographic change.

Reading America was initially funded by MetLife Foundation and benefited greatly from the Foundation’s insights. More than 40 libraries from 27 states participated in the program. Pursuing its vision to expand the Reading America model for use in libraries around the country, LFF increased the number of sites to 30 libraries in 2003, with additional support from MetLife. Fifteen new sites were added in 2004, and an additional 15 sites were selected for 2005. In all, more than 40 libraries from 27 states have participated, collaborating with community agencies and schools, increasing opportunities for underserved and new immigrant populations to take advantage of library resources, and bridging cultural and generational gaps in their communities.


How We Work

Each participating library develops its program with guidance and support from Libraries for the Future. Libraries partner with one or more community organizations and schools involved with area immigrants or other underserved populations, and utilize experts and outside facilitators to enhance the effectiveness of the programs.

For more information, contact Hali Brindel at 646-336-6236 or 800-542-1918 or hbrindel@lff.org.



MetLife Foundation Reading America Libraries

Arizona
Chandler Public Library, Chandler
Phoenix Public Library, Phoenix
Arkansas
Rogers Public Library, Rogers*
California
Riverside County Library System, Riverside*
Sacramento Public Library, Sacramento*
Santa Ana Public Library, Santa Ana
Solano County Library, Fairfield
Colorado
Denver Public Library, Denver
Edwin A. Bemis Public Library, Littleton
Mamie Doud Eisenhower Public Library, Broomfield
Florida
Hallandale Beach Library, Hallandale Beach
Orange County Library System, Orlando*
Georgia
Athens-Clarke County Library, Athens
Clayton County Library System, Jonesboro*
Illinois
Waukegan Public Library, Waukegan*
Zion-Benton Public Library District, Zion*
Indiana
Delphi Public Library, Delphi
East Chicago Public Library, East Chicago
Kansas
Wichita Public Library, Wichita
Kentucky
Kenton County Public Library, Covington
Clarke County Public Library, Winchester
Maryland
Howard County Library, Columbia
Massachusetts
Framingham Public Library, Framingham*
Lawrence Public Library, Lawrence*
Somerville Public Library, Somerville*
Thomas Crane Public Library, Quincy
Michigan
Capital Area District Library, Lansing
Detroit Public Library/Elisabeth Knapp Branch, Detroit*
Farmington Community Library, Farmington Hills
Minnesota
Hennepin County Library–Eden Prairie Library, Eden Prairie
Pelican Rapids Public Library, Pelican Rapids
St. Paul Public Library, St. Paul
Mississippi
West Biloxi Library, Biloxi
New Jersey
East Orange Public Library, East Orange
Jersey City Free Public Library, Jersey City
Plainfield Public Library, Plainfield
Nebraska
Lincoln City Libraries, Lincoln*
Nevada
North Las Vegas Library, North Las Vegas
New York
Baldwin Public Library, Baldwin
Middle Country Public Library, Centereach
Shelter Rock Public Library, Albertson*
North Dakota
Fargo Public Library, Fargo*
Ohio
Cleveland Public Library, Cleveland
Dayton Metro Library, Dayton
Oklahoma
Martin Regional Library—Tulsa City-County, Tulsa
Oregon
Jefferson County Library District, Madras
Pennsylvania
Franklin Country Library System, Chambersburg
Free Library of Philadelphia, Philadelphia
Rhode Island
Providence Public Library—South Providence Branch, Providence
South Carolina
Greenville County Library System, Greenville
South Dakota
Dewey County Library, Timber Lake
Texas
Dallas Public Library, Dallas
Plano Public Library System—Maribelle M. Davis Library, Plano
San Marcos Public Library, San Marcos
Vermont
Fletcher Free Library, Burlington
Virginia
Loudoun County Public Library, Leesburg
Washington
Longview Public Library, Longview*
Wisconsin
Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee
Wyoming
Laramie County Library System, Cheyenne