Fiction_L Archives Book discussion group Dates: 3/23/01,5:02 PM  through  4/4/01,8:18 AM  (3 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 March 2001 thread menu   |   Fiction_L Archives Menu

FROM: "Ann Harris" <[removed]@midyork.lib.ny.us>
REC'D: 3/23/01, 5:02 PM

Candice,
I have had this happy "problem" - first of all, be glad the response was
so positive! We met as a large group at the beginning and did some
icebreaker exercises. After that we went around the group and everyone
named their favorite character in the book, giving a quick explanation.
After that, we broke up into 2 groups - you could even do more with such a
large group. I had printed up discussion questions ahead of time and told
them they could talk about any or all of the questions. I floated from one
group to another. At the end of the meeting, we came back together as a
group and one person from each group gave a short description of the
highlights of that group's discussion. I think it worked very well. You
could do any variation of this, but that's the general idea. As an aside, if
any of you are interested in a book discussion presentation for group
leaders, another librarian and I have developed one, which we have given a
few times. The purpose of the program is to show the group leaders how to
"kick their groups up a notch" by using added materials and resources
related to the book. You can e-mail me privately at
[removed]@midyork.lib.ny.us for details.

Ann Harris
Mid-York Library System


I have just started a book discussion group at our
library. I have never done anything like this before,
and I'm not the most outgoing person in the world, nor
am I comfortable getting up in front of people. But I
really wanted to do this! We have had three meetings
so far. The first meeting drew 56 people! We were
overwhelmed. I felt like I was in front of a class
since there were so many people.

Some participants suggested that we break into two
groups for the next session, which we did. Today's
session we also broke up into two groups. There were
29 people, so maybe we should have kept it at one
group.

I guess what I'm trying to say, or ask, is how do you
deal with large groups? We have people who say they
are intimidated by large groups so we should divide
into two. We have others who say they miss things
when there are two groups. Perhaps some of you who
are more experienced can give me some pointers. I
don't want the participants to think that I'm
floundering. But to go from 56 to 40 to 29 shows that
some people are giving up on us.

=====
Candice Michalik
Reference Librarian
Lynchburg Public Library
Lynchburg, VA
[removed]@yahoo.com

FROM: "Joy Tofteland" <[removed]@ankeny.k12.ia.us>
REC'D: 3/28/01, 1:57 PM

Book discussion groups are very popular in Iowa communities. With many
small libraries with even smaller budgets, cooperation is the only way we
could provide this service. Libraries can usually afford to purchase 5-10
copies in paperback each year. If you share those copies with 11 other
libraries you only need to purchase one set per year. Our regional
librarians keep the information up to date. We then ILL the sets to each
other for a month or two. The web site to see how it is set up is:
http://wks1.swirls.lib.ia.us/Bkdisc_title.htm

We also depend on Iowa Humanities for grants to receive up to 30 copies at a
time. The books come from:
Human Pursuits 1965 East 3300 South Salt Lake City, UT 84106, Phone is
801-467-4220
I do not know if they rent books to individual libraries.

I have been amazed at the varied reading experiences and insights brought to
the group. We have found that each group develops its own personality.
After awhile, the discussions proceed on their own with little input from
the leader. Enjoy the experience! It is thrilling to see people so excited
about sharing what they read.

Joy Tofteland
Reference/Technical Resources Librarian
Kirkendall Public Library
Ankeny, IA


>
> I have just started a book discussion group at our
> library. I have never done anything like this before,
> and I'm not the most outgoing person in the world, nor
> am I comfortable getting up in front of people. But I
> really wanted to do this! We have had three meetings
> so far. The first meeting drew 56 people! We were
> overwhelmed. I felt like I was in front of a class
> since there were so many people.
>
> Some participants suggested that we break into two
> groups for the next session, which we did. Today's
> session we also broke up into two groups. There were
> 29 people, so maybe we should have kept it at one
> group.
>
> I guess what I'm trying to say, or ask, is how do you
> deal with large groups? We have people who say they
> are intimidated by large groups so we should divide
> into two. We have others who say they miss things
> when there are two groups. Perhaps some of you who
> are more experienced can give me some pointers. I
> don't want the participants to think that I'm
> floundering. But to go from 56 to 40 to 29 shows that
> some people are giving up on us.
>
>
>
> =====
> Candice Michalik
> Reference Librarian
> Lynchburg Public Library
> Lynchburg, VA
> [removed]@yahoo.com
>
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
>

FROM: [removed]@aol.com
REC'D: 4/4/01, 8:18 AM

We've been running our group for about three years and usually have 18 -
20 in attendance.
Two things that we do which make the group successful are:
Choosing the books in advance for the whole year
Allowing the group to have a say in what we read. We do this at a dessert
buffet in Aug. We have at least four members who will lead a discussion once
a year. We provide them with biographical info and sample questions and any
other material they feel they need. I think this is brings a fresh
perspective to the group. I also
tell them that if they feel strongly about a book they want to discuss, if
they offer to lead the discussion we will do it.
One thing I stress is that you can attend the discussion and not have to
say a thing, you can just come and listen. We did have one leader who went
around the group person by person asking for their input and while no one
refused to speak, I felt there were a few who were unfortable about it.
Like Kim, one of the comments we hear most often is " I would never
have read this book if it hadn't been for the group. I just love the
discussion
group". I really think that's what it is all about - stretching our reading
and minds.

Linda Wallace
Jonathan Trumbull Library
Lebanon, CT

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