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Book Group Basics

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Books to movies 'Free to the people' since 1895. What is the role of the group leader? ... Book Kits Online 'Free to the people' since 1895. Sources for Book Kits ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: Book Group Basics


1
Book Group Basics
  • A presentation for the
  • Allegheny County Library Associations
  • LSTA Shared Programming Grant
  • March 2006

2
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

3
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

4
Why do people join book groups?
  • Connectedness
  • Make new friends / kindred spirits
  • Surprises
  • New ideas / differing viewpoints
  • Enjoy tuition-free intellectual stimulation

5
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

6
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

7
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?

8
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.

9
Resources for selecting titles
  • Booklists
  • Library websites
  • Word of mouth
  • Reviews
  • Readers advisory resources
  • Award winners
  • Oprah, Today Show, USA Today book clubs

10
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

11
What is the role of the group leader?
  • Facilitator vs. expert lecturer / booktalker
  • Book kit / discussion materials
  • Food
  • Next months book

12
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!

13
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.

14
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.

15
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.

16
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.

17
Overcoming stumbling blocks
  • Group Dynamics 101
  • Diplomacy works
  • If necessary, discuss guidelines for group
    discussions.
  • If necessary, speak directly to the individual.

18
Book Group Basics
  • Its not just about the book!

19
Book kits
  • Tools for discussion leaders

20
Searching for BiographiesLiterature Resource
CenterCan also lead to interviews and reviews
21
Searching for BiographiesBiography Reference Bank
22
Searching for BiographiesCan also lead to
interviews and reviews
23
Searching for InterviewsEbsco Host Masterfile,
MAS online, Newspaper SourceCan also lead to
reviews
24
Searching for Book Reviewswww.reviewsofbooks.com
25
Searching for Reviewswww.complete-review.com
26
Searching for Reviewswww.complete-review.com
27
Searching for Reviewswww.complete-review.com
28
Searching for Discussion Questionswww.readinggrou
pguides.com
29
Searching for Discussion QuestionsNovelist
30
Searching for Discussion QuestionsPublisher
websiteswww.bloomsbury.com
31
Additional Information
32
Book Kits Online
33
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

34
Book Group Basics
  • This presentation can be found online at
  • http//www.carnegielibrary.org/presentations/ross
    i/index.html

35
Your presenters
  • Joanne Dunmyre
  • dunmyrej_at_carnegielibrary.org
  • Karen Rossi
  • rossik_at_carnegielibrary.org
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