Let’s Talk About It
Introduction and
Guide for Project Directors
What is “Let’s Talk About It”?
The “Let’s Talk About It” library discussion program was created to promote the development of reading
and discussion programs in America’s public libraries. It is meant to be more than just a book club. Rather
it is an exciting way to explore contemporary life and culture through literature and films. The discussions
offer lifelong learning and thoughtful dialogue about all facets of human life within the context of the
humanities.
The American Library Association originally launched “Let’s Talk About It” with funding from the National
Endowment for the Humanities. In North Carolina, it is a joint project of the North Carolina Humanities
Council and the North Carolina Center for the Book, a program of the State Library of North Carolina.
Libraries may apply to the North Carolina Humanities Council for grant funds to assist with funding for the
series. The Humanities Council schedules scholars for the programs. The North Carolina Center for the
Book, a program of the State Library of North Carolina/Department of Cultural Resources and an affiliate
of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, loans multiple copies of the books free of charge.
How Do I Get Started?
It is important to have the support of the library staff, its board, and the Friends of the Library, or another
active library advocacy group. From these people should come a small planning group of five or six
people. They will serve as promoters of the program and will give or find financial support.
The librarian or the project director will contact the North Carolina Humanities Council’s program
coordinator for “Let’s Talk About It” at (704-687-1520).The program coordinator will provide a list of the
series offered, check availability, answer any questions, and explain how the program works. Some key
Points to consider include the following:





There are over twenty “Let’s Talk About It” series offered, but because of a limited number of
books, most of the series can only run in two libraries at the same time.
Your planning committee will decide which of the series will have the greatest appeal to the
people in your community.
If you want to plan a series for the spring, the librarian or project director should contact the
Humanities Council in the fall.
If your library would like a fall program, contact the Humanities Council in the spring. It takes time
to recruit and schedule scholars.
Your library or organization also needs time to recruit participants, publicize the event, contact the
scholars, and distribute the books.
How Long Does a “Let’s Talk About It” Series Last and How Are the Books Provided?
There are usually five sessions in each “Let’s Talk About It” series. A session takes place every two
weeks, making the series run a total of nine weeks. It is necessary for the participants to have time to
read the book in preparation for each session. The participants get the first book when signing up for the
program. After the first session, they turn in that book and receive the book for the second session. It is
best not to give out all five books at the beginning of the series in the event that some people will drop
out. You will be asked to estimate how many people will participate and inform Molly Westmoreland, the
Director of the Center for the Book, well in advance of the first program to obtain the books.
North Carolina Humanities Council ● 320 East 9th Street, Suite 414 Charlotte, NC 28202 ● Phone: (704) 687-1520 ● Fax: (704) 687-1550
© The North Carolina Humanities Council is a statewide nonprofit and affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
LT-4003 Intro and Guide for Project Directors 121309 ● www.nchumanities.org ● nchc@nchumanities.org
Let’s Talk About It
Introduction and Guide for Project Directors
When is the Best Time to Offer “Let’s Talk About It”?
Most libraries offer the program between the months of September -- November and January -- April.
Summer months are not usually very popular; however, in retirement and resort areas, librarians know
their community and when people are receptive to programs. In some mountain communities, the project
directors may want to start in August to avoid bad weather. It is advisable to avoid holidays such as
Christmas. Most libraries find an evening program from 7-9 p.m. works well; however, some programs are
successfully held on Sunday afternoons. Many older participants would prefer not to drive at night.
Weekday afternoon programs are not as popular because working people are excluded. Also, most of the
scholars teach during the day and cannot travel until classes are finished.
Where Will the Program Be Held?
“Let’s Talk About It” is offered to public libraries, and it is expected that the programs will be held there. In
some cases, small libraries will not have a room large enough to accommodate the program. Then it is
necessary to use an alternative public space. These spaces should be accessible to anyone who wishes
to attend.
What is the Role of the Scholar?
The scholar is usually a professor in a university, college or community college and is known to be very
knowledgeable in his or her field of study as well as an effective teacher.
The role of the scholar is two-fold: (1) to provide a critical perspective on the materials considered and (2)
to inspire “Let’s Talk About It” participants to relate their experiences and insights to the materials and
share their responses with the discussion group. Most libraries say that the scholars make a big
difference in the success of the program. They bring the book to life with insights and background on the
author, raising questions and creating a catalyst that sparks discussion. The scholars provide the
participants with questions ahead of their session. The first scholar sets the tone and discusses the
general theme of the series. Each succeeding scholar shows how the book for that week fits into the
general theme of the series. The “Let’s Talk About It” program coordinator sends the scholar “Tips for
Scholars.” If the group decides to remain as one discussion group, then the scholar leads that discussion.
Otherwise, if there are small discussion groups, the scholar visits each group and then leads a wrap-up at
the end of the evening.
What Are the Financial Obligations?
The library applies to the North Carolina Humanities Council for a mini-grant of $1,000. This grant pays
for the $200 honorarium paid to each of the five scholars. The host library pays all travel expenses of the
scholar. Expenses for your library should be no more than $400 and could very well be less than that.
Every attempt is made to find scholars who will not need overnight accommodations, but that is not
always possible. In addition, the library pays all other expenses such as postage, publicity, printing, and
refreshments. In many cases, the Friends of the Library will help to defray these costs. There is no charge
for the books. They are supplied by the Center for the Book, a program of the State Library of North
Carolina. The host library is responsible for the shipping of the books back to the State Library or to
another library, as directed. There is no charge to the participants.
How Do Project Directors Recruit Participants?
“Let’s Talk About It” is a discussion program for adult participants. The age of participants varies, even
though many of them are adults who have the time and interest for reading and are eager for an
experience that challenges them, provides a venue for sharing ideas, and broadens their experiences.
LT-4003 Intro and Guide for Project Directors
2
Let’s Talk About It
Introduction and Guide for Project Directors
They are adults who enjoy reading and learning and are open to new and exciting ways of enriching their
lives through literature.
Scholars have commented that they love to be asked to lead these discussions because of the eagerness
and enthusiasm of the audience to learn and share as well as the extent of the audience’s preparedness
for the event. Only those come who want to be there. Libraries can target their active patrons, their
Friends of the Library, local book clubs, centers for senior citizens, retirement homes, and teachers. (The
Humanities Council offers a certificate for Teacher Renewal Credit, but approval must come from the
individual school districts.)
What Is a Typical Schedule for an Evening?
This schedule below is for the participants. Many times the evening begins by asking the scholar to have
dinner at a local restaurant with the project director/librarian. If there are to be several discussion groups,
then leaders for those groups must be arranged prior to the meeting, and it is good to have a brief
meeting with them and the scholar to review the discussion questions, share tips for discussion, and
make any final preparations.
7:00 p.m.
7:45 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
8:40 p.m.
Lecture/Presentation by scholar
Break/ Refreshments*
Discussion Group(s)
Wrap-up (different groups report, final questions and responses between
scholar and audience)
9:00 p.m. Departure
*Refreshments should be kept light and can be offered at the beginning, middle, or end of the evening.
How Do I Apply?
A grant application can be downloaded from the North Carolina Humanities Council website
www.nchumanities.org, or it can be mailed to you. The completed grant application should be in the
Humanities Council office at least eight weeks prior to the beginning of the program. It is important to talk
with the Humanities Council’s “Let’s Talk About It” staff as soon as you know you want to sponsor a
series.
Federal Requirement
As of October 1, 2010, under the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), no
organization can receive a sub grant award without providing a Data Universal Numbering System
(DUNS) number to the awarding agency.
A DUNS number is a nine-digit number established by Dun and Bradstreet, Inc. (D&B) to uniquely identify
business entities. This number can be obtained from D&B by telephone at 866 705-5711 or through their
website, http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform.
LT-4003 Intro and Guide for Project Directors
3