Beyond the Book Club is a collaboration between Community Library of Allegheny Valley (CLAV/Harrison) and Highlands High School Library. The club encourages, engages, and immerses students in literature and related activities. The club meets during school lunch to discuss the monthly book selection and to make real-world connections to the literature. Students explore the world through books, and their social skills are enhanced through interaction with their peers.

Guest authors are often enlisted to speak to the students to inspire them to read and to possibly try their own hand at writing. The topics and activities promote civic engagement, social awareness, and literary inspiration.

Library media specialists Mrs. Susan Wilson (CLAV) and Dr. Sandra Reidmiller (HHS) have been collaborating for many years to provide opportunities for youth in the community, and not just those youth who would typically come into the public library. They accomplish this by building relationships with a diverse group of young people, and the Beyond the Book Club is the newest endeavor for this partnership.

Funding for this program is provided by the Wachter Grant that supplies food, books, guest speakers, and materials for the activities.

~ Special thanks to Dr. Reidmiller for the article.