The Poulin Project is offering free box sets of literature to Literacy, GED/ESOL and Adult Education Programs, prison writing programs and other educational initiatives in New York State’s underserved communities.
The “Al Poulin Jr. Independent Publishers Development Project” is run by the DUC Library Program, in collaboration with The New York State Council on the Arts, in honor of the late poet, translator and founder of BOA Editions, Ltd.
The Poulin Project supports small and independent publishers in New York by introducing the work of hundreds of contemporary writers and poets to new audiences, and, in turn, helps reading centers to diversify their collections. Poulin Project books are distributed as an annual boxed set containing an average of 50 different titles. The DUC distributes these sets in June; there is absolutely no charge to participate.
BOA Editions, Ltd. is just one of the many publishers that donate new literature, poetry, plays, essays, and literary journals to the program each year. This year’s publishing partners include The Paris Review, Ugly Duckling Presse, Theatre Communications Group, Akashic Books The Hudson Review, Seven Stories Press and The Feminist Press, among many others.
The program’s goal is to reach the most overlooked readers in New York, particularly in the state’s outlying counties, and counties with the lowest per capita income levels. Under NYSCA’s direction, literacy programs have been made a priority this year.
Please note that priority will be given to first-time participants this year. Although DCU would love to send boxed sets to public libraries, NYSCA would like for materials to be distributed only to those libraries with literacy programs.
If you are interested in receiving a boxed set of books this June, please email Judith M. Smith, Program Manager, at info@ducprogram.org with your contact information. A street address (rather than a P.O. Box) and a telephone number are required.