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Who can apply to host a Reading Between the Lines series? Is there any cost to my organization for hosting a Reading Between the Lines series? How many Reading Between the Lines series may my organization host? May my organization apply for more than one Reading Between the Lines series at a time? Who qualifies as a Scholar-Facilitator? How should I go about finding a Scholar-Facilitator? What does the Scholar-Facilitator have to do? How much, and how, does the Scholar-Facilitator get paid? What are the responsibilities of the host organization? How do I get the books for the series? When should we schedule the series? How long does each Reading Between the Lines session last? How large a group is required? Can we charge an entrance free for a Reading Between the Lines program? Can we make substitutions of books in a series? Can we change the order in which the books are presented in a series? Is there any follow-up after the series for which I am responsible? How do I get reimbursed for the book shipping expense?
Who can apply to host a Reading Between the Lines series? Any tax-exempt organization in New York State is eligible to apply. Reading Between the Lines has been hosted by museums, libraries, historical societies and community centers across New York. Recent host sites have included:
Is there any cost to my organization for hosting a Reading Between the Lines series? No. The Council covers all direct costs for the program including the Scholar-Facilitator's fee and the cost of shipping Council-supplied books, to and from the host organization. The host organization is responsible for providing staff support for this program and for gathering an audience. See What are the responsibilities of the host organization? in Common Questions below. How many Reading Between the Lines series may my organization host? An organization may host one four-session series in a single calendar year. May my organization apply for more than one Reading Between the Lines series at a time? No. You may only apply for and host one Reading Between the Lines series at a time. Do I have to have a Scholar-Facilitator in place to apply to host a Reading Between the Lines series? Yes. In order to apply you must have identified a humanities scholar who is committed to facilitate all four 90-minute discussion sessions in the series you have selected, and you must include that person's current resume with your application. Please make sure your proposed Scholar-Facilitator has visited our website and is familiar with the RBTL program requirements before agreeing to facilitate your series. Who qualifies as a Scholar-Facilitator? A humanities scholar is an individual with particular training or experience qualifying him or her as a professional in one or more of the academic disciplines of the humanities. The typical qualifications are an advanced degree (M.A. or Ph.D.) in a humanities field of study and a regular appointment at a recognized institution of higher learning. However, individuals without an advanced degree or who are not affiliated with a college or university may qualify as humanities scholars because of their methods of research, inquiry, and teaching. Students doing graduate work in a humanities discipline are also qualified. The Council also recognizes that scholarship and knowledge gathering are defined differently in different cultures, and respects such diversity of training and preparation as consistent with our understanding of the humanities as fields and as methods of inquiry. The humanities scholars for Reading Between the Lines series do not have to be experts in the theme of the series you have selected. They simply have to have an interest in taking on the role of facilitator for a humanities-based discussion group. How should I go about finding a Scholar-Facilitator? Often the easiest way to find a scholar is by contacting your local colleges and/or universities. Don't forget to inquire about interested graduate students if you are near a school with a graduate program, and also ask about retired faculty who might still be in the area. Many organizations also have scholars as board members, advisors, or volunteers who may be interested in facilitating a series or can recommend others. You may also contact the Council to ask for recommendations for scholars in your area. What does the Scholar-Facilitator have to do? The Scholar-Facilitator reads all four books in the series and develops discussion questions that relate to the series theme. They also facilitate each of the four 90-minute discussion sessions. The Council provides scholar-facilitators with a detailed manual to guide them in this process. How much, and how, does the scholar-facilitator get paid? The Scholar-Facilitator is paid $200 per session for a total of $800. The Council contracts directly with the Scholar-Facilitator once an application has been accepted and pays them directly (50% prior to the start of the series and 50% after the last session).
Your organization is responsible for:
How do I get the books for the series? For host sites using Council-supplied books: We will send you 20 copies of each book in the series at least three weeks prior to the start of your series. For host sites not using Council-supplied books: Please note that due to availability and cost, some titles are often difficult to procure and are not suitable for organizations seeking to provide their own books. The Council has compiled a Reading Between the Lines book price list, based on title availability and pricing retailed online. We recommend that you research the general availability of the titles in your proposed series in your area before determining if supplying your own books is right for your organization. If you opt to use books not supplied by the Council, please be aware that while this option may require extra effort on your part, it may also increase the competitiveness of your application. Your organization may purchase books to sell to your participants or participants can acquire the titles independently. You should also notify your local library system early on as they may be able to put copies on reserve at your local branch. Your local bookstore may consider a discounted rate for titles purchased through them, especially in large quantities. Online book retailers often sell used books and may have used copies of your series titles available. Make sure the series titles and suggestions for acquiring them are available to your participants when they register. When should we schedule the series? The four sessions in a Reading Between the Lines series should be scheduled at times that allow for the greatest number of people to take part (evenings or weekends). Generally the Council suggests scheduling the four sessions monthly. Groups applying for the fall round must schedule their four sessions between September and January and the spring round must schedule their four sessions sometime between February and June. Some sites conduct an introductory session prior to the first book discussion to discuss administrative protocols, to give the participants and scholar-facilitator an opportunity to meet one another and to talk about how an RBTL program is structured. If you're considering an intro session, please review our Introductory Session Guidelines. How long does each Reading Between the Lines session last? Each of the four Reading Between the Lines sessions should last roughly 90 minutes. How large a group is required? A group of at least ten is required. The maximum number of participants is 20. Participants should be asked to make every effort to take part in all four discussion sessions. Can we charge an entrance fee for a Reading Between the Lines program? No. All Reading Between the Lines series must be free. An event is not considered free if attendance requires paid membership with the sponsoring organization. Can we make substitutions of books in a series? No. Series must be presented with the books listed on the Council's website. Can we change the order in which the books are presented in a series? Yes. The Scholar-Facilitator, in consultation with the host organization, may decide to change the order of the books in the series. Is there any follow-up after the series for which I am responsible? Yes. Your organization is required to complete and return a Host Organization evaluation as well as distribute, collect and return Participant evaluations. These should be returned to the Council within three weeks of the end of the series. You are also responsible for returning all Council-supplied books within the same timeframe (the Council will reimburse you for this expense). We also ask that you send us a copy of your participant registration form. How do I get reimbursed for the book shipping expense? Mail the postage reimbursement form and original receipts to the Council and you will be issued a check for this expense. |
