Ahwatukee’s Ironwood branch of the Phoenix Public Library is piloting a book club program aimed at connecting those with intellectual and developmental disabilities through reading.
Around Town – Next Chapter Book Club
1/27/20230 Comments
Ahwatukee’s Ironwood branch of the Phoenix Public Library is piloting a book club program aimed at connecting those with intellectual and developmental disabilities through reading.
Payne leads club participants, including Joyce and Louie Glass, as they discuss the book.
The Next Chapter Book Club (NCBC) launched here in the fall and is based on a national program founded by Dr. Thomas Fish, Director of Social Work at the Ohio State University’s Nisonger Center for Excellence in Disabilities. It now has 250 active local affiliates throughout the country. Joyce Glass attends each week with her son Louie to keep up his reading skills and have an event to look forward to. “Attending has been a very positive experience. Louie’s reading and expression have improved along with his comfort level. This program fills a need in our area as there are not enough programs available for this population where they can participate just as typical adults do,” explains Glass. The club is led by two volunteer facilitators who, with required training and materials, are also supported by library staff. A typical book club is taking turns reading aloud together and pausing at times to discuss what was read such as interesting or new words and how each member might be able to relate to the characters and events in the story. Participants don’t have to come prepared and can be at varied reading levels. Lee Payne, Ironwood Branch Manager, wanted to bring NCBC to the Phoenix Public Library, recognizing there are fewer resources for this underserved population to get out into the community, socialize and make new friendships. He hopes to welcome more members in this new year. “Our participants enjoy seeing each other each week, getting to know each other better and enjoying thought-provoking discussion. We worked with our Collection Development department to order books that would work well for this program. We look for good stories—they might reflect current events, take us on a fantasy-adventure, or involve themes we all face in our lives and like to discuss, such as jobs, health, and relationships,” says Payne. Ahwatukee resident Marni Money was looking for meaningful ways to give back to the community and became a facilitator. She has enjoyed seeing confidence build in the members as they participate. “My favorite part is knowing that every member of the book club has a place to be each week, with a group of friends, where they belong. They come with a voice that matters, where disabilities are not something that sets them apart, but something that brings them together. Even though disabilities are just a part of what brings them together, it’s not a topic of conversation. We just talk about books,” says Money.
The Next Chapter Book the Club is a unique and inclusive community-based book club designed for people ages 12+ with intellectual and developmental disabilities and meets at the Ironwood Library on Wednesdays. Details & sign up can be found on the library’s calendar: www.calendar.phoenixpubliclibrary.org