CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

Library to host Next Chapter Book Club

Bay Times - 1/10/2018

CENTREVILLE - Queen Anne'sCounty Library recently joined the Next Chapter Book Club Affiliate Network and will soon be launching a local club.

Founded by Dr. Thomas Fish, a professor at Ohio State University in 2002, Next Chapter Book Club is a community-based book club program for individuals with down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy and other types of intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Next Chapter Book Club, which was awarded the "Innovations in Reading Prize" by the National Book Foundation in 2016, has clubs throughout North America and in other parts of the world. Clubs meet in public places and are comprised of four to eight members ad two volunteer facilitators who are trained to engage readers of all levels, including those who cannot read or are "emerging readers."

"People with intellectual and developmental disabilities love books for the same reasons most people do. They enjoy being transported to different worlds where they meet interesting characters and learn about exciting new things," said Susan Berg, executive director of the Ohio-based Next Chapter Book Club. "Taking that journey with a group of friends makes it even more delightful and fun."

Although reading skills of Next Chapter Book Club members often improve as a result of reading more often, the program is more about "reading to learn," rather than "learning to read." The primary focus is on having fun with friends in public places on a regular basis.

Anyone interested in join the club or becoming a volunteer facilitator should contact Andrea Boothby Rice at andrea@qaclibrary.org or call the library at 410-758-0980.