March 2008

Norma DeMay is the director of the Douglas Library in North Canaan, CT. In this interview, Norma talks about the benefits of hosting book club meetings at the library and points out how it can encourage patronage. As a member of two book clubs herself, Norma shares some memorable experiences she has had with her fellow readers, including a trip to France. She also mentions some special events her library hosts; “Movie Night,” for example, shows films based on books and is free and open to all.

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

A:We have a book club that meets on the last Wednesday of every month at 6:30 PM. We have been meeting regularly since 2003. We do all genres, fiction and nonfiction.

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:Our group of 15 happens to be all women by chance; members range in age from 30 to 90. We always accept new members.

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

A:Usually the librarian (which is me) leads the discussion and we find the discussion guides helpful. I also look for interesting items on the Internet: interviews, other books by the author, etc.

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:We take suggestions from members and from the library staff. We try to pick a few books for the months ahead so we are prepared and can locate copies for members.

Q: What were some of the best discussions or favorite books the groups have read?

A:Some of the best discussions were for Bel Canto, The Thirteenth Tale, The Memory Keeper's Daughter, Empire Falls, Life of Pi, The Shadow of the Wind, Cannery Row and Travels with Charley.

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

A:It’s a lively bunch with lots of humor. We’re all book lovers; we are lucky in that respect.

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:Definitely have a facilitator to keep things on track; some members tend to digress or gossip. Also, use the discussion guides or any other info on the author or book that you can find.

Libraries are a good place for hosting as it brings people into the library, and the meetings are regular. No one has to cancel at their own home.

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

A:Keep your choices varied --- let members have input on selection but stay away from beach reads and the fluff stuff. You want to have meaty discussions! Don't stick with one genre if you can help it.

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

A:Librarians usually know a lot about authors, reviews and other publications if they keep up with the book world. We also use interlibrary loans to obtain copies from other libraries.

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

A:It’s a fun night out with friendships forming and lots of laughs. Also, offering tea and goodies is nice. We also have a large screen TV upstairs and have watched some films of books we have read, such as I Capture the Castle, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Great Gatsby, A Month in the Country and Empire Falls. This is optional and held on another night open to the public advertised as Movie Night (free admission).

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

A:We had one member who constantly talked about herself; it was hard to politely pull the discussion back to the book. Sometimes a few members will talk separately among themselves, which is really distracting to the ongoing conversation. Try to keep everyone on track. Sometimes someone will suggest a book that no one cares for, but it is all taken lightly!

Q: Is there anything else unique or noteworthy about book clubs (either ones that meet in your library or ones that you know of) that you would like to share?

A:I have another book group where we meet and do dinner and wine every month; everyone brings something towards the dinner and we rotate the meetings, so twice a year you are a host. We actually went to France together! We are terrific friends besides being book group participants.

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 am a member of two book clubs as mentioned above --- one with five friends and the library book group. I facilitate the library book club and love being in both. I voraciously read books and reviews, so I feel I have a lot of suggestions to offer for potential book titles. I tend to know my patrons and their likes and dislikes --- a small library!

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