Rotary assists Next Chapter expansion

Members of a Next Chapter Book Club chapter enjoy an impromptu birthday party at Madison Public Library. Rotary Club of Madison recently donated $2,000 to NCBC chapters in Madison. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – In one year, the Next Chapter Book Club (NCBC) at Madison Public Library has expanded into three separate chapters for adolescents and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Promoting inclusion, clubs encourage “members to interact more frequently and in new ways with books and stories, each other and the community around them,” assistant librarian Teresa Allison said.

Still growing, another chapter is planned at the main library in Huntsville in 2016. The Madison branch is one of 16 U.S. libraries with an NCBC.

To assist expansion, Rotary Club of Madison donated $2,000 to NCBC chapters in Madison on Aug. 13.

“This generous donation from Rotary will support NCBC with enough books to offer variety to the three groups meeting at Madison and new groups starting throughout Huntsville-Madison County Public Library for the next year,” branch manager Sarah Sledge said.

“Madison Rotary is a longstanding partner with the library between special literacy projects, building improvements and an annual contribution to the Helen P. Lee Foundation,” Sledge said. “Our appreciation of their gift and partnership is great indeed.’

Each NCBC has seven members and up to three facilitators. Members range from teenagers to 60-something adults. “Every effort is made to accommodate anyone who would like to join, regardless of physical and/or intellectual disabilities,” Allison said.

The clubs welcome members at any reading level. Thus far not an issue, overly disruptive behavior would disqualify an individual from membership.

Clubs meet weekly for one hour, opening with a game or time for sharing. Members read aloud, receiving support as needed. Clubs have read classic novels like “The Three Musketeers” and popular fiction like “Because of Winn Dixie.”

“NCBC members have become very close friends,” Allison said.

Deeb, 24, said, “I love reading. The main reason I love being part of the book club is because I’ve never been part of one.” Sheila, who’s 61, said, “What I like best about our book club is … everything.”

For more information, call 256-461-0046 or email to tallison@hmcpl.org.