The Albany County Public Library has been chosen to receive a grant from the American Library Association and PBS to host programs around “The Great American Read.”

Albany County Public Library was among the 50 libraries chosen out of 220 who applied for the $2,000 grants. The grant will support public programs around “The Great American Read” series, according to a press release from the Albany County Public Library.

One hundred novels were selected through a national survey with the purpose of investigating how and why writers create these works of fiction, how their stories affect readers and what these 100 books have to say about the shared human experience.

An eight-part television series on the subject will feature entertaining and informative documentary segments featuring appearances by celebrities, athletes, experts, authors and everyday Americans advocating for their favorite book. The series will culminate in a finale where America’s best-loved novel is chosen by the American public.

Ruth Troyanek, ACPL director, said the library is very excited to bring programs like this to Albany County.

“We are very excited to use this opportunity to build community and link people together through a mutual love of reading and the shared experience of being human” Troyanek said in a statement. “I am proud of our staff, and especially Cassy Hunter, for their great work in bringing programs like this to our community.”

The programming for “The Great American Read” will kick off at 7 p.m. on June 16 and will include a screening of the season premiere of the Great American Read. The names of the top 100 books will be announced and the voting will begin. Events and book clubs associated with this programming will continue through October 2018.  More information can be found at the Albany County Public Library Facebook page.

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