Remember silent sustained reading in school? A coveted time to simply focus on reading without any distraction or worry in the world? So many of us crave for it, but can’t find the place or time to sit down and read anymore without feeling some sort of productivity guilt over it. That is why we are incredibly excited to launch Silent Sustained Reading (SSR), our newest monthly program at Dzanc House, where folks can lounge about as they happily read their favorite novel, collection of poetry etc and be in community with fellow bookworms—all guilt-free! It is the perfect, relaxing, welcoming and safe space to hang out, have some tea, and flip through the pages of a good book.

We are approaching your wonderful foundation because we would love to make SSR an annual and accessible program for all peoples and ages. Our project involves:

1Building an in-house library of curated books for young readers as well as adult titles. Presently, we ask folks to bring their reading material to the house, but we understand this may not be attainable or convenient for some. We will offer a curated collection of our favorite titles for young people (e.g. works by Ada Limon, Ross Gay, Jericho Brown, + more), and encourage the sharing, exchanging, and borrowing of books as well.

2Creating a Reading Club for youth, which will operate as an extension of our SSR program and run for a full year! We will not only invite in-house writers and artists to read alongside our youth but also provide participants with a curated collection of poetry, including visits from authors who can come in for a reading session themselves!

By situating a community library inside our home and offering a literacy program that promotes connection, engagement, and exploration with the literary arts, we hope to inspire a lifelong love of reading, writing, and endless imagining and remind folks and youth of the incredible power that comes with focusing and growing one's own creative and critical thinking skills.