As NEHS commemorates its 20th anniversary, we are inviting chapters across the globe to participate in a meaningful community project: partnering with Little Free Library to establish book-sharing boxes in their communities. This collaborative project is designed not only to celebrate twenty years of NEHS’s dedication to literacy but also embodies its core values of service, scholarship, and community engagement.
Supporting Communities Through Books
The Little Free Library project offers NEHS chapters a tangible way to promote literacy and foster a love for reading in their communities. By setting up these accessible book-sharing boxes, chapters can provide free books to individuals of all ages, encouraging reading and learning outside the traditional settings of the school or public library: indeed, a Little Free Library supports the valuable work that these organizations undertake. This initiative transforms public spaces into literary hubs, inviting community members to “take a book, leave a book,” and engage in a continuous exchange of knowledge and stories.
Amplifying Diverse Voices
Incorporating programs like Read in Color, NEHS chapters can ensure their Little Free Libraries feature books that reflect diverse perspectives. This commitment to diversity not only enriches the reading experience but also promotes inclusivity and understanding within the community.
Empowering Student Leadership
Participating in the Little Free Library project empowers NEHS members to take initiative, develop leadership skills, and engage in service-oriented activities. From planning and constructing the library to curating its contents and organizing community events, students gain hands-on experience in project management and community outreach. These experiences can be invaluable, fostering a sense of responsibility and civic engagement among NEHS student members.
Support and Resources for this Project
NEHS supports chapters in their literacy-focused service projects by providing Chapter Project Grants. These grants can assist in funding the construction and maintenance of Little Free Libraries, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder the pursuit of promoting literacy. Consider applying for a grant to support the creation of a Little Free Library in your community.
Celebrating a Legacy of Literacy
The NEHS and Little Free Library partnership is more than a commemorative project; it’s a continuation of NEHS’s mission to foster a love for the English language and literature. By establishing Little Free Libraries, chapters contribute to a legacy that values education, community, and the transformative power of books. This initiative not only honors the past 20 years of NEHS’s impact but also lays the groundwork for future influence in promoting literacy and learning.
For more information on how to get involved, visit the NEHS & Little Free Library project page.
National English Honor Society
The National English Honor Society (NEHS), founded and sponsored by Sigma Tau Delta, is the only international organization exclusively for secondary students and faculty who, in the field of English, merit special note for past and current accomplishments. Individual secondary schools are invited to petition for a local chapter, through which individuals may be inducted into Society membership. Immediate benefits of affiliation include academic recognition, scholarship and award eligibility, and opportunities for networking with others who share enthusiasm for, and accomplishment in, the language arts.
America’s first honor society was founded in 1776, but high school students didn’t have access to such organizations for another 150 years. Since then, high school honor societies have been developed in leadership, drama, journalism, French, Spanish, mathematics, the sciences, and in various other fields, but not in English. In 2005, National English Honor Society launched and has been growing steadily since, becoming one of the largest academic societies for secondary schools.
As Joyce Carol Oates writes, “This is the time for which we have been waiting.” Or perhaps it was Shakespeare: “Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer . . .” we celebrate English studies through NEHS.
National English Honor Society accepts submissions to our blog, NEHS Museletter, from all membership categories (students, Advisors, and alumni). If you are interested in submitting a blog, please read the Suggested Guidelines on our website. Email any questions and all submissions to: submit@nehsmuseletter.us.
