Support a book discussion group
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Purpose: Learn to support a book discussion group
Core skill: III-B-4: Design, implement and sponsor library programs for all ages that offer information, special skills or entertainment.
Eligible participants: Librarians
Repeatable?: No
Do you want help from a CKLS consultant?
___ No help needed.
___ Yes, modify project agreement
___ Yes, suggest other readings or learning
___ Yes, early preparation visit
___ Yes, one-on-one coaching through activity
___ Yes, other: _______________________________
Learning component: Attend a workshop or read the following materials.
- “Ten tips for starting and running a successful book club” by Rachel Jacobsohn, author of The Reading Group Handbook, begins with a discussion of policy questions that should be answered before forming the group followed by advice about creating variety during the discussion. (http://tinyurl.com/kljv6z)
- Frank Carlson Library's handouts from "Supporting a Book Discussion Group" workshop
- Clueless Mystery Discussion Group Bi-laws
- Book Discussion Group Interest Survey
- Basic questions for a discussion
- Any five interviews with over 25 librarians asking the number of members, discussion leaders, selecting books, books creating the best discussions, keeping meetings fun, advice, specials for book clubs, etc. http://tinyurl.com/maqsp4)
- Any five interviews with a hundred discussion clubs asking about the number of members, frequency of meetings, food, discussion leaders, favorite books, books creating favorite discussions, keeping things fun, advice, horror stories, etc. (http://tinyurl.com/mbu3rm)
- “The all-important first meeting!” lists nine questions that need to be discussed during and five issues that should be settled by the end of the meeting. Above and below this online article are links to articles about: getting started, moderating meetings, difficult meetings, choosing books, discussion questions, and games to break the ice. (http://tinyurl.com/ndxsmt)
- Links to Web sites with discussion guides produced by publishers and others. (http://www.book-clubs-resource.com/guides/)
- “Book discussion group sets available in Kansas libraries” lists sets of books that can be borrowed for discussion groups. (http://tinyurl.com/7444t)
- Four librarians’ comments about “Book discussion group sets available in Kansas libraries.” (http://tinyurl.com/lfpk9p
- Using the resources above, start a book discussion group.
- Have at least three meetings of book discussions.
- Librarians who have been running book discussion groups for a while, can also earn $50 of CE Project grant money by answering these questions below.
- To receive CE credit, email me a couple of paragraphs describing your experiences of answer any five of the following questions. If your club is new you may not have “horror stories,” “favorite books,” or know how your meetings are “kept fun and interesting.” Just tell us what you can.
- Does your library host any book clubs? If so, are they based on a certain theme or genre (i.e., mystery)? How often do the groups meet?
- How many members are in each group? How many men, how many women? What ages are most of the member? Are the groups open to accepting new members?
- Who leads the book discussions? Are reading group discussion guides used?
- How are books selected? Is a new one chosen at each meeting, or are they chosen for a number of meetings ahead of time?
- What were some of the best discussions or favorite books the groups have read?
- How are book club meetings kept interesting and fun?
- What advice would you give to other libraries that would like to start hosting book clubs, or provide resources for ones in the community? What are the benefits to hosting book clubs at a library?
- What general advice would you give to book club members? Any specific ideas for making reading selections?
- How can book clubs better utilize resources at their local libraries?
- Does your library offer anything special for book clubs?
- Do you have any horror stories, amusing anecdotes, or other tales to tell that you have heard from book clubs?
- Are you a member of a book club? If so, what do you enjoy most about the experience from a reader's perspective? Does being in a book club enable you to better suggest both titles and discussion ideas to reading groups?
- Please fill out the evaluation at http://www.ckls.org/CE/AgreementEvaluation.doc
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