The Camden County Library System has been selected as one of six in the state to offer the Next Chapter Book Club for adults and teens with special needs.
“Now Camden County residents with special needs will have a book club to call their own,” said Freeholder Ed McDonnell, liaison to the Camden County Division of Programming for People with Disabilities. “We are proud that the Camden County Library System was recognized to provide this important service to our residents.”
Next Chapter Book Clubs allow those with intellectual or development disabilities the chance to become members of a book club designed to meet their needs, regardless of reading ability. Each club will offer up to eight individuals the opportunity to gather weekly to read and learn together as they discuss books and make friends in a relaxed, community setting.
Based on its expertise of having run two Next Chapter clubs since 2008, Scotch Plains Public Library sought funding from LibraryLinkNJ, the New Jersey Library Cooperative, to support groups at other libraries and expand the concept to special-needs populations across the state. LibraryLinkNJ accepted the proposal and is funding six other clubs, including ones at the Voorhees branch library and the Cherry Hill Public Library in South Jersey. The program provides training for library staff members who will work with local volunteers.
“The Camden County Library System is always seeking ways it can serve the entire region,” said Camden County Library Director Linda Devlin. “We’ve long offered on-the-spectrum programming for those with autism at some of our branches, and now we welcome the chance to provide Next Chapter Book Clubs for another special-needs population.”
The Next Chapter Book Club will meet at the M. Allen Volgenson Regional Branch of the Camden County Library System, located at 203 Laurel Road in Voorhees Township. The group is scheduled to begin in September with the first meetings on Thursdays September 18 and 25 at 7 p.m. Registration is required and encouraged as space will be limited. Contact Rosemary Scalese at (856) 772–1636 x7350 or at rscalese@camdencountylibrary.org.
