[Publib] Book Discussion Group

[Anne Felix]

I attended a Librarian's meeting last week in the Fort Worth area, and
the subject of book discussion groups came up.  I don't remember which
area library (Hurst, maybe) made this contribution, but I liked the
idea. 

 

Their book group meets once a month.  The librarian sets the program or
chooses the book.  One month everyone is to read a different book on the
same theme or topic.  Another month everyone reads a book by the same
author.  Another time an author gives a presentation.  And sometimes
they all read the same book.  The librarian leads the discussion, which
can generalize from the themes and ideas without getting too personal or
political.  

 

Traditional book groups may have a problem with attendance because the
participants feel like this:  I don't always want to spend my reading
time on a book prescribed by someone else, and if I haven't read the
book, I don't want to try to discuss it, and so I'll skip the meeting.
But as the group leader, I am looking for ways to welcome interested
participants regardless of whether they have read the book.  So this
mix-it-up format has some appeal.  I may try it sometime soon.  

 

Anne Felix

Reference Librarian

Grand Prairie (Texas) Public Library System

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