Resources:Read About It!


Ian McEwan's Atonement is one of the books featured in the Read About It! program.

"Packaged" Book Discussion Programs for Public Libraries
PHC believes that book discussion groups are an excellent way to engage the public in humanities programs. Read About It! is a series of "packaged" book discussion programs developed for public libraries. More than 200 libraries across the Commonwealth have participated in Read About It! since the program began in 2000.

Through informal discussions with an expert discussion leader, Read About It! exposes people to new authors and gives them tools to deepen their reading experience. The programs, which occur over four sessions, appeal to popular interests and engage readers from all walks of life in the humanities.

Read About It! has two goals:

  • To reach audiences new to book discussion programs. Read About It! involves people who typically do not attend cultural programs or have limited access to them—individuals from a large variety of communities and backgrounds.

  • To help public libraries increase their value as community learning centers. The programs boost the ability of libraries to conduct humanities programs. They also improve libraries' marketing and promotional skills, enabling them to publicize their contributions to lifelong learning.

View a list of fall 2009 and spring 2010 participating libraries.

Featured Programs:

How to Apply
Applications are no longer being accepted for fall 2009 and spring 2010 programs. Applications for fall 2010 and spring 2011 programs will be available in winter 2010.

Read About It! is a program of the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, supported in part by Library Services and Technology Act funds administered by the Office of the Commonwealth Libraries, the National Endowment for the Humanities as part of its We the People initiative on American history and Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania.

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