Penn State University Libraries Short Stories Pilot Program Launches at State College High School; University Will Lend a Short Story Dispenser to School

From Penn State University

Penn State University Libraries is partnering with the State College Area High School in January 2019 as part of its ongoing outreach and lifelong learning efforts and Penn State’s strategic goal to advance the arts and humanities by loaning one of its Short Edition short story dispensers to the high school.
Starting Jan. 21, a one-month pilot program aims to help meet local high school students’ interest to establish a dedicated Short Edition short story dispenser and creative writing initiative in the school.
“It’s exciting to see how quickly our Libraries Short Stories initiative is growing, not only across Pennsylvania at our commonwealth campuses, but also locally beyond the University itself,” Hailley Fargo, University Libraries student engagement and outreach librarian, said. “We just completed our second Penn State writing contest. Its participation rate grew by more than 30 percent, and its range of involvement expanded among campuses. Last month we opened our Libraries Short Stories website to submissions from Centre County residents. To see State College high school students be motivated to have their own story dispenser is another great sign of support for our effort to encourage engagement with the arts through creative writing.”
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The University Libraries’ adoption of short story dispensers in May 2017 made Penn State the world’s first educational institution to partner with Short Edition of Grenoble, France. The Libraries’ innovative agreement enabled the delivery of short, original pieces of Penn State creative writing into the public’s hands, encouraging direct community engagement with and conversation about writing by Penn State faculty, staff and students. Since 2017, other universities and organizations have reached out to the University Libraries to inquire about establishing their own Short Edition and short story writing initiatives.

Learn More About the Pilot Project in the Complete Article
See Also: Penn State Libraries, Short Edition Partner for First University Collaboration (May 18, 2017)
Includes video.

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