Miami, March 21, 2019 – Miami Dade College’s (MDC) libraries were awarded grants to participate in the American Library Association’s (ALA) Great Stories Club, a thematic reading and discussion program that engages underserved teens through literature-based outreach programs, with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).
MDC was awarded seven grants and projects will be taking place throughout the 2018-19 academic year at various campuses. The college is collaborating with local community organizations, high schools and programs to promote reading of important books and discussions that explore the concept of empathy, what it means to be a hero, truth, healing and transformation. Librarians and staff at MDC campuses will work with small groups local teens to read and discuss the stories. Other related activities will further engage participants in conversation and action on topics related to social justice.
“The opportunities afforded to our youth through this wonderful grant and program will allow us to discuss current and important local issues in a safe environment that will lead to a higher understanding of one another and the importance of personal experiences and values that collectively make up South Florida,” said College-wide Learning Resources Director Erick Dominicis. “The MDC libraries are very excited to be part of a selected national group of libraries to do this work with our youth.”
About the American Library Association
The American Library Association (ALA) is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, the ALA has been the trusted voice for academic, public, school, government and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library’s role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit www.ala.org.
About Miami Dade College
Miami Dade College is the largest degree-granting institution in the nation. The college’s eight campuses offer more than 300 distinct degree pathways including several baccalaureate degrees in biological sciences, engineering, data analytics, information systems technology, education, public safety, supervision and management, nursing, physician assistant studies, film and others. MDC is the recipient of top national awards. As Democracy’s College, MDC changes lives through accessible, high quality-teaching and learning experiences. It houses the Miami Culinary Institute, the Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex, the Miami Fashion Institute, the Eig-Watson School of Aviation, the Idea Center, the School for Advanced Studies, the New World School of the Arts, to name a few. MDC has been named among the nation’s “Great Colleges to Work For” by The Chronicle of Higher Education. The College embraces its responsibility to serve as an economic, cultural, and civic leader for the advancement of our diverse global community. Its alumni and employees contribute more than $6 billion annually to the local economy, and MDC graduates occupy top leadership positions in every major industry. MDC is renowned for its rich cultural programming. It is home of the Miami Book Fair, Miami Film Festival, the MDC Live! Performing Arts Series, the National Historic Landmark Miami Freedom Tower, the Tower Theater, Dyer Building, Koubek Center Mansion and Gardens, the Lynn and Louis Wolfson II Florida Moving Image Archives, a sculpture park and a large art gallery system. MDC has admitted more than 2,000,000 students and counting, since it opened its doors in 1960. For more information, visit www.mdc.edu.