Book Group Basics

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Book Group Basics

• A presentation for the
• Allegheny County Library Associations
• LSTA Shared Programming Grant
• March 2006

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Your presenters

• Joanne Dunmyre
• Librarian, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Main
  First Floor and Reference Services
• Karen Rossi
• Manager, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Main
  First Floor

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Book Group Basics

• By the end of this workshop, you will be able to
  
• Explain why people participate in book groups
• Begin a new book group
• Organize and facilitate a book group discussion
• Overcome the common stumbling blocks in book
  group discussions
• Use a book kit to enhance your book group
  discussion

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Why do people join book groups?

• Connectedness
• Make new friends / kindred spirits
• Surprises
• New ideas / differing viewpoints
• Enjoy tuition-free intellectual stimulation

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Why do people join book groups?

• Enjoy reading for fun not school work
• Escape from reality
• Expand horizons, try different books
• Food and treats
• Its not just about the book

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Getting started Marketing

• How will you publicize / market your book group?
• Library website
• Call / e-mail friends, co-workers, students
• Ask them to bring a friend
• Word of mouth
• Distribute posters/flyers in library, at school,
  gym, community center, church, wherever people
  hang out
• Join an existing library/bookstore group

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Getting organized The first meeting

• Think about your expectations.
• At the first meeting, ask the group
• Why are they there?
• What are their expectations?
• What time / day is most convenient?
• How frequently do they want to meet?
• Where do they want to meet?

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Selecting the titles

• Characteristics of books that are good for
  discussion
• Level of difficulty and length
• Controversial subject / edgy
• Authors view of an important truth
• Literary style
• Three-dimensional characters
• Ambiguous ending
• Its okay if everyone doesnt like the book.

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Resources for selecting titles

• Booklists
• Library websites
• Word of mouth
• Reviews
• Readers advisory resources
• Award winners
• Oprah, Today Show, USA Today book clubs

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Themes are optional

• Education
• Historical fiction
• Coming of age
• Pittsburgh
• Memoirs
• Banned books
• Contemporary literary fiction
• Classic contemporary novels
• Award winners
• Mysteries
• Books to movies

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What is the role of the group leader?

• Facilitator vs. expert lecturer / booktalker
• Book kit / discussion materials
• Food
• Next months book

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Common stumbling blocks and how to overcome them

• What to do if
• There are major disagreements.
• Establish guidelines.
• There is no right or wrong in the art of literary
  interpretation.
• We share our explorations and thoughts.
• Avoid pomposity. Leave egos at the door!

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Overcoming stumbling blocks

• What to do if
• The discussion drags.
• Prepare many questions. You probably wont use
  all of them, but its better to have more than
  you need.
• Ask the group to think about the 3 things they
  want to be sure we talk about.
• Invite new people to the group.

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Overcoming stumbling blocks

• What to do if
• Someone monopolizes.
• Sit beside not across from the monopolizer.
• Say, Thanks for your contributions. Lets hear
  from someone else now.
• Raising your hand worked pretty well at school.

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Overcoming stumbling blocks

• What to do if
• Someone never contributes.
• If someone is fully engaged, but speaks only
  occasionally, there may be no need to do anything
  about it.
• Get to know them better in conversational time
  before or after group discussion.
• Try to find opportunities to draw them out.
• Respect their silence. Some speak a lot, some
  dont.

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Overcoming stumbling blocks

• What to do if
• Participants didnt read the book.
• May be extenuating circumstances for one or two
  months.
• Be flexible and use your own judgment.
• Attendance drops or disappears.
• More marketing / recruiting
• Contact former participants.
• Take a break for a few months, then start again.

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Overcoming stumbling blocks

• Group Dynamics 101
• Diplomacy works
• If necessary, discuss guidelines for group
  discussions.
• If necessary, speak directly to the individual.

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Book Group Basics

• Its not just about the book!

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Book kits

• Tools for discussion leaders

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Searching for BiographiesLiterature Resource
CenterCan also lead to interviews and reviews
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Searching for BiographiesBiography Reference Bank
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Searching for BiographiesCan also lead to
interviews and reviews
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Searching for InterviewsEbsco Host Masterfile,
MAS online, Newspaper SourceCan also lead to
reviews
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Searching for Book Reviewswww.reviewsofbooks.com
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Searching for Reviewswww.complete-review.com
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Searching for Reviewswww.complete-review.com
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Searching for Reviewswww.complete-review.com
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Searching for Discussion Questionswww.readinggrou
pguides.com
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Searching for Discussion QuestionsNovelist
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Searching for Discussion QuestionsPublisher
websiteswww.bloomsbury.com
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Additional Information
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Book Kits Online
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Sources for Book Kits

• List of the primary sources we use to develop
  book kits can be found online
• www.carnegielibrary.org/locations/firstfloor/bookg
  roup/howtobgc.html

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Book Group Basics

• This presentation can be found online at
• http//www.carnegielibrary.org/presentations/ross
  i/index.html

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Your presenters

• Joanne Dunmyre
• dunmyrej_at_carnegielibrary.org
• Karen Rossi
• rossik_at_carnegielibrary.org