New Hampshire State Library
20 Park StreetConcordNH03301
603-271-2866603-271-6826

Program: Connections: The New Hampshire Reading Project Year Started: 1990 Focus: History & Literature Youth Served: N/A Ages: 18-21 Budget: $50,000 The New Hampshire State Library's Connections Reading Project is a book discussion program that encourages family reading, literacy and continued use of state libraries. Participants include single parents, teens, school dropouts and new immigrants, all of whom are adult new readers and many of whom are parents and grandparents. When new readers enter the program, they receive books, get a library card and meet the librarian, who gives them a tour of the library and introduces them to staff. Working with tutors, participants read six to nine selections from picture and short story books related to a common theme, such as courage, home, justice, friendship, New England history, journeys or autobiography. Two-hour monthly book discussions at the local libraries during the school year bring together students and humanities scholars to explore the literature. Eighteen scholars travel throughout the state, remaining with a group for a 4-month session. Participants may join the program again at the next session. Connections Project Director Christie Sarles reports that 75 percent of the tutors believe the program improves students' reading skills, word recognition and comprehension; 100 percent of the librarians say participants return to the library after attending the program; and 46 percent of the participants report Connections changes how they feel about libraries. "The program is making local ties between the tutorial coordinators and librarians," notes Sarles. "Students, librarians and discussion leaders all want to continue participating."