In this interview, Kathy Perschmann of Chanhassen, MN describes a unique and innovative program that she oversees, called "Book Club in a Bag." The patrons of Chanhassen Library are able to check out kits containing paperback copies, notebooks, discussion questions, and other reading group resources to use during their book club meetings. Read on to learn more about the success of this program, as well as Kathy's tips when determining monthly reading selections.

Q: Does your library host any book clubs? If so, are they based on a certain theme or genre (i.e., mystery)? How often do the groups meet?

A: My library has one book club --- it meets monthly, and they choose their books.

Q: How many members are in each group? How many men, how many women? What ages are most of the members? Are the groups open to accepting new members?

A: The club is open to the public, so the numbers fluctuate --- usually 6-8 attend.

Q: Who leads the book discussions? Are reading group discussion guides used?

A: They take turns --- sometimes they use the discussion guides, sometimes not.

Q: How are books selected? Is a new one chosen at each meeting, or are they chosen for a number of meetings ahead of time?

A: They choose them about 6 months ahead --- that way, we can get extra copies of their books.

Q: How are book club meetings kept interesting and fun?

A: They meet at a restaurant in December and recap their favorite books of the past year.

Q: What advice would you give to other libraries that would like to start hosting book clubs, or provide resources for ones in the community? What are the benefits to hosting book clubs at a library?

A: Our Friends group paid for "Book Club in a Bag" kits --- 10 paperback copies of a particular title and a notebook with discussion questions, interviews, etc. One person checks the kit out for six weeks, and distributes the books at the next meeting. We have cool bags with a logo; and they are almost always out. We have fiction, nonfiction, mystery, and western-themed kits. Each one costs about $100-130.

Q: What general advice would you give to book club members? Any specific ideas for making reading selections?

A: DO NOT CHOOSE bestsellers! You will end up having to buy them! Wait until the books are out in paperback. Ask your librarian for lists of what other book clubs are reading (online; in library literature; check magazines like Bookmarks and websites like www.armchairinterviews.com)

Q: How can book clubs better utilize resources at their local libraries?

A: Get librarians your reading lists --- often, people get titles wrong, or don't know the title. Sometimes libraries can buy extra copies if they know there is going to be a demand.

Q: Does your library offer anything special for book clubs?

A: We have "Book Club in a Bag" kits --- now we have 13. We will be adding one a month this next year, another 9.

Q: Do you have any horror stories, amusing anecdotes, or other tales to tell that you have heard from book clubs?

A: My favorite book club was the one that read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil for their October selection and came dressed as characters in the book. They were all ladies over 40!

Q: Are you a member of a book club? If so, what do you enjoy most about the experience from a reader's perspective? Does being in a book club enable you to better suggest both titles and discussion ideas to reading groups?

A: I'm not a member.

ReadingGroupGuides.com interviews special reading groups around the world, spotlighting a different group each month. We hope that you enjoy reading about their experiences and might find some new ideas to try with your group. If you belong to a group that you think should be spotlighted, click here to send.