June 2006

Sharron Smith is the Readers' Advisory Librarian at the Kitchener Public Library in Kitchener, Ontario. In this interview, she discusses how readers can best utilize the expertise of librarians and how library-sponsored book clubs serve as reminders to the community of a library's fundamental purpose --- books. 

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: My library hosts one book club. With this group the focus is placed (for obvious reasons) on Canadian Fiction. We meet once a month.

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: There are approximately 12 regular members, although depending on the book we are discussing there are occasional drop-ins. Of these members all are women, although the drop-ins have included men. Because all library programs are open, new members are always welcome.

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

A: I lead all of the discussions and circulate a discussion guide one month prior to the meeting. 

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:I almost always select the books; usually the selections are chosen up to 10 months in advance. Occasionally, the reading list will include a title that a member has read and is really interested in discussing; however, they are very keen to have me select the titles, so the selections are always varied.

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

A: Latitudes of Melt by Joan Clark, Summer Gone by David Macfarlane, and Your Mouth is Lovely by Nancy Richler.

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

A: Members keep returning to the group because we are so focused. We always spend at least 90 minutes talking about the book and I always keep the group on track and ensure that everyone who wants to participate has an opportunity. At least once or twice a year, I arrange for an author visit and this provides an opportunity for members to have their questions addressed to the creator of the work. Although the group doesn't "socialize" during meetings, once a year we organize a group lunch.

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: One of the benefits of a library-sponsored book club is that it reminds the community that the library is still about books. There has, of course, been a lot of focus on technology, and a book club says we can be about both.

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

A: Use your library as a source of reading selections. Libraries have reference resources available that can help you select a book. We can also point you to sources of background on the book and author --- this information is especially valuable if your reading selection doesn't have a reading guide.

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

A: Local book clubs should look to their library as a source of reading selections and advice on what books are discussable; not every book will provide satisfying discussion.

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

A: Very shortly we will be offering book club sets --- as do many public libraries. However, the best service we provide is that I am willing to go out and meet with groups and talk about how they can make their groups successful. I will also talk about understanding the types of books you like to read, why you enjoy them, and how this may or may not influence your reading selections.

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: No, I love to read and focus my personal time on books that I read just for me --- outside of the titles I read in anticipation of the book club I host.