Since we launched the first Sigma Tau Delta Book Clubs Kits in September, you may have seen more information cropping up in Footnotes or on the website. But what exactly are these Book Club Kits, and how can they benefit your chapter? And, more importantly, what is the Book Club Service Award?
Each Book Club Kit was created by a team of Sigma Tau Delta Board Members, including Student Leaders, Regents, and Central Office staff. They come in two different sizes: there are the regular size kits, like the ones for the 2025 Common Reader Natalie Diaz’s When My Brother Was an Aztec and the 2025 Spotlight Author Willa Cather’s One of Ours. In addition, there are the Quick Kits featuring LitFest speakers who will be in attendance at the 2025 Convention, like those for Diana Khoi Nguyen’s Ghost Of and Clare Beams’ We Show What We Have Learned. More than offering chapters a variety of genres, styles, and mediums to discuss in their book clubs, these kits introduce authors of importance at the 2025 Convention. Come prepared to hear from this year’s keynote speakers and participate in our LitFest by getting up to speed on the books that will be a hot topic among convention-goers. Or, if you cannot make it to the convention, use these Book Club Kits to connect with the rest of the international English community!
Beyond jump starting exciting conversations in your chapter, these kits are meant to facilitate action. The Book Club Service Award offers chapters who undertake a service project related to book club conversations up to $200. While chapters must complete and send proof of the service project before applying for that award, this is a great way for the Society to recognize the meaningful contributions of compassionate English scholars like yourself. In addition to the funds, we’d also like to share your service project on our social media accounts to promote your school and encourage other chapters to start their own projects.
Community service may sound difficult to chapters with little reach or institutional support, but it doesn’t have to be. Each kit lists several community resources aimed at helping students connect with service organizations they are excited about. However, we encourage chapters to think about service in their local area. What organizations near your school contribute to the values represented in a book club pick? How can you contribute in a way that represents what you learned from reading and discussing one of these books? A big part of these Book Club Kits is the potential to transform words into action. Spend some time as a group brainstorming about how each author inspires you to give back to the world. And then . . . what are you waiting for? Go out and make a difference together!
Learn more about Application Guidelines for the Book Club Service Award.
Kelly Taylor
Student Advisor, 2024-2026
Service Committee, Co-Chair
Alpha Zeta Iota Chapter, President
Chapman University, Orange, CA
More from Footnotes: February 11, 2025
Black History Month: Join the African American Read-In and Read in Color Programs
Lifelong Learning Summer Program at Girton College
Sigma Tau Delta Chapter Fundraising Week 2025
Sigma Tau Delta Webinars
2025 Convention Update
Add Comment