Fiction_L Archives icebreakers for bk disc. Dates: 1/26/00,2:34 PM  through  1/31/00,3:20 PM  (12 postings) Search for: Select one or more indexes to search: 2011-current     2009-2010     2004-2008    1995-2003    (Matches from each index will be displayed separately in the results page.) Return to January 2000 thread menu   |   Fiction_L Archives Menu

FROM: "Karla Bowman" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 1/26/00, 2:34 PM

Book discussion leaders:

Help! I'm doing my first book discussion tomorrow night (Snow Falling on
Cedars) with a new group. I don't know them and they don't know each other.
Any suggestions for ice-breakers? Should I just jump into discussion?
Also, any suggestions for a simple first question?

Your help is greatly appreciated!

Karla Bowman
Euclid Public Library
Euclid, Ohio

______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at <A HREF="http://www.hotmail.com">http://www.hotmail.com</A>

FROM: "Richards Free Library" <[removed]@sugar-river.net>
REC'D: 1/26/00, 3:50 PM

Karla:
I often ask a group to go around the room and introduce themselves and
tell us the title of their favorite book. It's a nice way to make
connections and to have an idea of what the people in the group might like
to read next.
Andrea Thorpe
At 03:38 PM 01/26/2000 EST, you wrote:
>Book discussion leaders:
>
>Help! I'm doing my first book discussion tomorrow night (Snow Falling on
>Cedars) with a new group. I don't know them and they don't know each other.
>Any suggestions for ice-breakers? Should I just jump into discussion?
>Also, any suggestions for a simple first question?
>
>Your help is greatly appreciated!
>
>Karla Bowman
>Euclid Public Library
>Euclid, Ohio
>
>______________________________________________________
>Get Your Private, Free Email at <A HREF="http://www.hotmail.com">http://www.hotmail.com</A>
>
>
>

**********************************************************************
Richards Free Library
58 N. Main Street
Newport, NH 03773
(603) 863-3430
(603) 863-3022 (fax)
e-mail: [removed]@sugar-river.net
<A HREF="http://www.sugar-river.net/~rfl">http://www.sugar-river.net/~rfl</A>

web site: <A HREF="http://www.sugar-river.net/~rfl">http://www.sugar-river.net/~rfl</A>

FROM: "Stephanie Ann Thomas" <[removed]@owlsnet.owls.lib.wi.us>
REC'D: 1/26/00, 3:52 PM

Hi, I don't know how big your group is but something we did once was to
assign group numbers to individual discussion questions and then broke up
into smaller groups. Each person was given a group number for each
question so for each question the groups interchanged. This
worked well for our group which was large so we didn't have small groups
of people talking to each other and the people at the other end of the
room couldn't hear what they were discussing. The small groups only had
about 4 or 5 people in them. It was a nice way for everyone to talk to
each other and made it more comfortable for people who didn't talk up in
the larger group to speak within a smaller group. It might be good for
your group where people don't know one another. Each question was given a
time limit for discussion and then we broke up into new small groups and
discussed the next question. You would have to have a big room where the
small groups aren't on top of one another. Don't know if it would work
for your situation. Good luck!

Stephanie Thomas
Waupaca PL

On Wed, 26 Jan 2000, Karla Bowman wrote:

> Book discussion leaders:
>
> Help! I'm doing my first book discussion tomorrow night (Snow Falling on
> Cedars) with a new group. I don't know them and they don't know each other.
> Any suggestions for ice-breakers? Should I just jump into discussion?
> Also, any suggestions for a simple first question?
>
> Your help is greatly appreciated!
>
> Karla Bowman
> Euclid Public Library
> Euclid, Ohio
>
> ______________________________________________________
> Get Your Private, Free Email at <A HREF="http://www.hotmail.com">http://www.hotmail.com</A>
>
>

FROM: "Marla" <[removed]@orion.mtgr.mtlib.org>
REC'D: 1/26/00, 4:11 PM

One of the best ice breakers that I participated in was not a book
discussion group, but maybe could be modified.....

A big bowl of MMs candies were passed around. Everybody took
whatever amount each wanted but could not eat them until
everyone had taken some. Then, depending on how many each
took, each had to tell that many things about his/her self. If there
were any dieters, etc., they had to "pretend" to take at least one.
If one took 5 MMs, then 5 facts. Maybe you could modify to name
favorite books, why to participate in a book discussion group, etc.
Endless possibilities. (And *really* punishes those greedy people!
(-;)

Good luck. BYE!

Marla/Great Falls Public Library/Acquisitions
301 2nd Ave N
Great Falls, MT 59401-2593
[removed]@orion.mtgr.mtlib.org

FROM: "Viccy Kemp" <[removed]@ci.carrollton.tx.us>
REC'D: 1/26/00, 4:14 PM

I have used this icebreaker successfully many times. Write some nursery
rhymes on index cards and cut them in half so one part of the rhyme is on
one side and the other half is on the other. Have the members find their
opposite rhyme half and introduce themselves and find out a little about
each other: hobbies, length of marriage, children, jobs, etc. Then have them
introduce their companion to the rest of the group. With a large group, this
can take about thirty minutes, but in smaller groups it can go quickly.
Our book group did "Snow" last year. We really liked it and I was amazed at
the number of people who had no idea about the Japanese internment camps.
HTH
Viccy Kemp
The opinions are my own; the library wouldn't want 'em!

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Karla Bowman [[removed]@hotmail.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2000 2:39 PM
> [removed]@maillist.nslsilus.org
> Subject: icebreakers for bk disc.
>
> Book discussion leaders:
>
> Help! I'm doing my first book discussion tomorrow night (Snow Falling on
> Cedars) with a new group. I don't know them and they don't know each
> other.
> Any suggestions for ice-breakers? Should I just jump into discussion?
> Also, any suggestions for a simple first question?
>
> Your help is greatly appreciated!
>
> Karla Bowman
> Euclid Public Library
> Euclid, Ohio
>
> ______________________________________________________
> Get Your Private, Free Email at <A HREF="http://www.hotmail.com">http://www.hotmail.com</A>

FROM: "Rachel Singer Gordon" <[removed]@linc.lib.il.us>
REC'D: 1/26/00, 4:30 PM

Hey! We're doing Snow Falling on Cedars in February :). What I usually do
(we almost always have 1-2 new people) is go around and have everyone say
their name and just give a general impression of the book - did they like
it, did they dislike it - or give a favorite character, or something
general like that. It gives everyone a chance to say something and also
helps me remember their names.

- rachel

At 03:38 PM 1/26/00 EST, you wrote:
>Book discussion leaders:
>
>Help! I'm doing my first book discussion tomorrow night (Snow Falling on
>Cedars) with a new group. I don't know them and they don't know each other.
>Any suggestions for ice-breakers? Should I just jump into discussion?
>Also, any suggestions for a simple first question?
>
>Your help is greatly appreciated!
>
>Karla Bowman
>Euclid Public Library
>Euclid, Ohio
>
>______________________________________________________
>Get Your Private, Free Email at <A HREF="http://www.hotmail.com">http://www.hotmail.com</A>
>
>
-----------------------
Rachel Singer Gordon
Head, Computer Services
Franklin Park Library
[removed]@linc.lib.il.us
<A HREF="http://www.lisjobs.com">http://www.lisjobs.com</A>

FROM: "Lynda Whitton-Henley" <[removed]@intcomm.net>
REC'D: 1/26/00, 10:07 PM

Don't know about icebreakers, but I found a site while gathering some author
info & reviews on the same book. I have a print-out of sites that provide
discussion guides, it was at work & I was at home naturally. ...they originated
with this group.

Try: www.randomhouse.com/vintage/read/rgg.html#pt.

We just had the organizational meeting for a bk discussion grp at my branch.
It was a lively exchange of what they liked and didn't like. They are going to
let each person pick a book and be the discussion leader for that month. They
are going to try to schedule 4 months in advance. They also want time to just
share about books they have read, or reading, etc. It looks like a promising
group. I wish I could be a part but that's my sq. dance & investment club
night. I said I'd help with some of the research, esp. if the leader didn't
have Internet access. I gave the discussion leader on this book a small sample
of what's available.

Lynda Whitton-Henley, Br. Mgr.
Northwest Br. Lib.
[removed]@intcomm.net

Karla Bowman wrote:

> Book discussion leaders:
>
> Help! I'm doing my first book discussion tomorrow night (Snow Falling on
> Cedars) with a new group. I don't know them and they don't know each other.
> Any suggestions for ice-breakers? Should I just jump into discussion?
> Also, any suggestions for a simple first question?
>
> Your help is greatly appreciated!
>
> Karla Bowman
> Euclid Public Library
> Euclid, Ohio
>
> ______________________________________________________
> Get Your Private, Free Email at <A HREF="http://www.hotmail.com">http://www.hotmail.com</A>

FROM: "Jane Genzel" <[removed]@ci.muskego.wi.us>
REC'D: 1/27/00, 9:01 AM

Hi Karla,

Many others have offered terrific ideas and advice, but I'd just like
to add another thought which sounds the hardest but is really the
easiest. Don't forget to relax and have fun! Everyone is there because
they want to be and everyone is starting from Square One. It might help
to think of it as the first day of school. Remember how delicious it
felt to just be there, anxious to begin a new adventure? That's much
the way beginning a new group is. Any "ice" will break itself when a
group of people get together over books. If, as book group leader, you
exude a feeling of excitement, enthusiasm and interest (all of which you
all ready have in abundance judging from your post) I guarantee that
everyone will relax and join you on a great ride! You go girl! Knock
'em dead, and have a ball! You'll be terrific!!

Jane Genzel, Librarian


>----------
>From: Karla Bowman[[removed]@hotmail.com]
>Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2000 2:38 PM
>To: [removed]@maillist.nslsilus.org
>Subject: icebreakers for bk disc.
>
>Book discussion leaders:
>
>Help! I'm doing my first book discussion tomorrow night (Snow Falling on
>Cedars) with a new group. I don't know them and they don't know each other.
>Any suggestions for ice-breakers? Should I just jump into discussion?
>Also, any suggestions for a simple first question?
>
>Your help is greatly appreciated!
>
>Karla Bowman
>Euclid Public Library
>Euclid, Ohio
>
>______________________________________________________
>Get Your Private, Free Email at <A HREF="http://www.hotmail.com">http://www.hotmail.com</A>
>
>

FROM: "Debbie Somchay" <[removed]@dupagels.lib.il.us>
REC'D: 1/27/00, 9:46 AM

To Rachel - What I'd like to know is how do you manage to get 1-2 new
people each month? That's very good. Is is just word of mouth or
publicity? What size is the community? Older, younger, mixed?

-----Original Message-----
From: Rachel Singer Gordon [[removed]@linc.lib.il.us]
Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2000 4:39 PM
[removed]@maillist.nslsilus.org
Subject: Re: icebreakers for bk disc.

Hey! We're doing Snow Falling on Cedars in February :). What I usually do
(we almost always have 1-2 new people) is go around and have everyone say
their name and just give a general impression of the book - did they like
it, did they dislike it - or give a favorite character, or something
general like that. It gives everyone a chance to say something and also
helps me remember their names.

- rachel

At 03:38 PM 1/26/00 EST, you wrote:
>Book discussion leaders:
>
>Help! I'm doing my first book discussion tomorrow night (Snow Falling on
>Cedars) with a new group. I don't know them and they don't know each
other.
>Any suggestions for ice-breakers? Should I just jump into discussion?
>Also, any suggestions for a simple first question?
>
>Your help is greatly appreciated!
>
>Karla Bowman
>Euclid Public Library
>Euclid, Ohio
>
>______________________________________________________
>Get Your Private, Free Email at <A HREF="http://www.hotmail.com">http://www.hotmail.com</A>
>
>
-----------------------
Rachel Singer Gordon
Head, Computer Services
Franklin Park Library
[removed]@linc.lib.il.us
<A HREF="http://www.lisjobs.com">http://www.lisjobs.com</A>

FROM: "Rachel Singer Gordon" <[removed]@linc.lib.il.us>
REC'D: 1/27/00, 10:36 AM

At 09:52 AM 1/27/00 -0600, you wrote:
>To Rachel - What I'd like to know is how do you manage to get 1-2 new
>people each month? That's very good. Is is just word of mouth or
>publicity? What size is the community? Older, younger, mixed?

What's strange is that they don't all stay - we have a core group of about
8 women who ALWAYS come. We have a group of maybe about 10 people who come
every other time, or every once in a while. Then we get 1-2 new people
each time who generally either don't come back (these are usually younger
women who I think might either get intimidated by the core group who all
know each other or be looking for a younger/more "hip" group) or end up in
the "every other time" bunch.

(and hmm, I did say "women" above - the group is always all women excepting
that one sometimes brings her husband)

The community is about 18,000, but we get a lot of participants from
outside the library district. The libraries around us are smaller and
don't run their own groups. We do publicity via library signage, in our
newsletter, and in the local paper. I think what has helped us is having
"special events" (for instance we read Pope Joan and chatted with the
author by speakerphone, which we promoted pretty heavily and which was
well-attended) and picking timely books (we have 15 people signed up at
this point for the Snow Falling on Cedars discussion in Feb, and at least 3
of the names on that list are brand new). And a lot of it does come
through word-of-mouth - people in that "core group" will bring a friend.

Also, our book discussion is only every other month, which I think makes
people feel less pressured - they know they have a good long time to read
(we get books in at least 6 weeks before the discussion) & we try to always
pick books that are available in large print (a lot of seniors) and
preferably on audio (we have one woman with cataracts who is at the point
where large print is difficult, but she has listened to some of the
selections on audio and loves participating that way).

So nothing extraordinary!

:)
- rachel

-----------------------
Rachel Singer Gordon
Head, Computer Services
Franklin Park Library
[removed]@linc.lib.il.us
<A HREF="http://www.lisjobs.com">http://www.lisjobs.com</A>

FROM: "Jaffe" <[removed]@suffolk.lib.ny.us>
REC'D: 1/31/00, 2:06 PM

Our book discussion is similar to Rachel's. We have a core group of 10 who
always come. We have another group that frequently come, and then we
always have some new people. Some of the new people become regulars and
some don't come back. Some come especially because they loved a particular
book but they don't care to discuss different ones. It's what makes the
group interesting - we're constantly evolving.

Karen Jaffe
Comsewogue Public Library

FROM: "Debbie Somchay" <[removed]@dupagels.lib.il.us>
REC'D: 1/31/00, 3:20 PM

Rachel - Thanks for taking the time to write. Sounds similar to our senior
group, a core of 8, but never any new ones. And our regular book group is
only bringing in 2 or 3 people. So congratulations and keep up the good
work!

-----Original Message-----
From: Rachel Singer Gordon [[removed]@linc.lib.il.us]
Sent: Thursday, January 27, 2000 10:45 AM
[removed]@maillist.nslsilus.org
Subject: RE: icebreakers for bk disc.

At 09:52 AM 1/27/00 -0600, you wrote:
>To Rachel - What I'd like to know is how do you manage to get 1-2 new
>people each month? That's very good. Is is just word of mouth or
>publicity? What size is the community? Older, younger, mixed?

What's strange is that they don't all stay - we have a core group of about
8 women who ALWAYS come. We have a group of maybe about 10 people who come
every other time, or every once in a while. Then we get 1-2 new people
each time who generally either don't come back (these are usually younger
women who I think might either get intimidated by the core group who all
know each other or be looking for a younger/more "hip" group) or end up in
the "every other time" bunch.

(and hmm, I did say "women" above - the group is always all women excepting
that one sometimes brings her husband)

The community is about 18,000, but we get a lot of participants from
outside the library district. The libraries around us are smaller and
don't run their own groups. We do publicity via library signage, in our
newsletter, and in the local paper. I think what has helped us is having
"special events" (for instance we read Pope Joan and chatted with the
author by speakerphone, which we promoted pretty heavily and which was
well-attended) and picking timely books (we have 15 people signed up at
this point for the Snow Falling on Cedars discussion in Feb, and at least 3
of the names on that list are brand new). And a lot of it does come
through word-of-mouth - people in that "core group" will bring a friend.

Also, our book discussion is only every other month, which I think makes
people feel less pressured - they know they have a good long time to read
(we get books in at least 6 weeks before the discussion) & we try to always
pick books that are available in large print (a lot of seniors) and
preferably on audio (we have one woman with cataracts who is at the point
where large print is difficult, but she has listened to some of the
selections on audio and loves participating that way).

So nothing extraordinary!

:)
- rachel

-----------------------
Rachel Singer Gordon
Head, Computer Services
Franklin Park Library
[removed]@linc.lib.il.us
<A HREF="http://www.lisjobs.com">http://www.lisjobs.com</A>

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