Kits for Book Clubs
Posted by: Ted Balcom
Libraries that promote the development of book clubs in their communities may have already discovered one effective way of accomplishing their objective is to provide book discussion kits. The kits typically include multiple copies of a highly discussable book, along with discussion questions and author information, and perhaps a canvas bag for easier carrying. This practice has been successfully adopted by the Madison (WI) Public Library — it has over 200 book discussion kits available, all listed in their online catalog. But something that’s different about the MPL approach — their foundation has established a Book Discussion Kit Endowment Fund in order to maintain an updated collection! The foundation encourages community members to contribute to this fund to assist in the project, at the same time publicizing the collection of book discussion kits and urging readers to check them out. Great idea, huh? Why not think about trying it in your library?
