Talk About Literature in Kansas
The humanities help us understand what it means to be human — to seek connections with people and place. Talk About Literature in Kansas book discussions draw on diverse forms of literature to help us see more clearly who we are as people and define ideas that will shape a future worthy of generations to come.
undefinedCreate a TALK Book Discussion in Your Community
Talk About Literature in Kansas (TALK) book discussions bring Kansans together for engaging conversations over good books. TALK book discussions are customizable events for your community. You choose the book(s), you pick the discussion leader(s) and time(s), and HK provides the books and covers the cost. Online or in-person events available.
Book discussions are available free to Kansas nonprofits, as funding allows. These are intended for adult, out-of-school audiences.
How to Create a TALK Book Discussion in Your Community
Up to three books per series are eligible for scholar-facilitated talk discussions. You may borrow all the available books in a series and lead discussions yourself for the remaining books.
1. Review the TALK catalog and select a TALK series. In a hurry? Review this two-page list of TALK series and books.
2. Reserve the TALK series from the Northwest Kansas Library System. Contact the Northwest Kansas Library System or call (785) 877-5148. Be sure to confirm:
- a. How many books you need.
- b. When the books will be shipped to you.
- c. How the books will be shipped (through the library courier system or USPS).
- d. When the books need to be returned.
3. Wait for confirmation of your series reservation.
4. Select a discussion leader for each of the three books.
5. Contact discussion leader(s) and confirm dates, location, and time. Book discussions can now be conducted online. Contact the discussion leader to discuss setting up a presentation online. Download this guide with step-by-step instructions for setting up an online presentation.
6. Apply for funding to bring the discussion leader(s) to your community. See "TALK Instructions" for more details. (Please note: Completed applications, including the DUNS number, must be submitted 6 weeks before the event dates to be considered for funding.) Discussions are intended for out-of-school adult audiences and must be free and open to the public. Humanities Kansas is unable to fund applications that do not meet these requirements.
7. Publicize your event. Download press releases, discussion leader bios, and Humanities Kansas' logo poster.
8. Tell us how it went. After your final discussion, download and fill out the TALK Evaluation Forms and Cost Share Report. Please fill out one for each discussion and email it to Abigail Kaup: abigail@humanitieskansas.org.
TALK is made possible with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, HK Friends of the Humanities, and the Lewis H. Humphreys Charitable Trust, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee.
The opinions expressed by the authors or discussion leaders do not necessarily reflect those of Humanities Kansas.
