The Russell County Public Library in Jamestown, KY does not host any book clubs, but Glenda York --- who works as Assistant to the Director --- shares details about her own book club outside of work. In this interview, she talks about her group's discussion of the ever-controversial The Da Vinci Code and suggests some resources for finding diverse 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: We don't actually host a book club. However, I do belong to the one and only book club in our county. It doesn't operate by theme or genre either; we just like to read good books...mostly fiction with occasional nonfiction or biography. We meet at a local restaurant called "The Porch," hence the name of our book club is "The Porch Page Turners." We meet the fourth Monday night of the month at 5 p.m.

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: It's just the one group, which started out with about a dozen participants, but currently has about six or seven active members. We are all women, though sometimes a couple of the women's husbands come with them. They don't join in the discussion, but they are present. Most of our members belong in the 40-60+ age bracket. We are always open to new members and I try to spread the word at the library to patrons new to our community.

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

A: The person who suggests the book leads the discussion. If a guide is easily available and the person who leads the discussion is computer literate, they are used. We'll also use them if the book we're reading has questions in the back. Some of the women don't know how to obtain the questions if they are only available online, and therefore may use their own.

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 choose our books for several months ahead of time. Lately, we have tried Large Print book discussion kits that can be booked through the state. They have a little traveling kit on wheels that includes 15 large-print copies of the book with a discussion guide and copy of the book on audiocassette or CD. These are starting to get pretty popular and must be booked ahead of time. You can keep them for 6 weeks and then return them to the state. This operates through our Inter-Library loan system.

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

A: The Da Vinci Code provided some interesting discussion. I was against using it for the club --- I had been reading about the controversy for some time, and as a Christian, I actually considered the book somewhat dangerous for people with a limited background in Christianity. My fear was that they would not remember that the book is fiction and think that some of the premises were factual. Anyway, our group is made up of a very eclectic mix of women with different backgrounds, and we managed to have a vigorous discussion and still part as friends. Some other favorite books our group has tackled are Last Call by Laura Pedersen, Standing in the Rainbow by Fannie Flagg, The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd (of course), A Parchment of Leaves by Silas House, Welcome to the Great Mysterious by Lorna Landvik, and Little Bitty Lies by Mary Kay Andrews.

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

A: Since we meet at a local restaurant, the general mood at our meetings is pretty social. We try to support one another as women, stay connected, read some wonderful books, and have good conversation along the way. We keep a club list with names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and birthdates. We try to provide a little gift if a member's birthday occurs during the month we meet.

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: I think a library would be an excellent host for book clubs. Perhaps putting an ad in the local newspaper to canvas for prospects might be a good idea. Now that state libraries are jumping on the book club bandwagon with the Large Print discussion kits, it makes things a whole lot easier. In general, it is easier to get a book from the library and more cost-effective too. And if the library doesn't have the book you want, our members have been kind enough to donate their purchased books when they are through with it.

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

A: Just that they should have fun and not get too serious about things. Allow people to disagree (this is going to happen and can actually be fun and instructional). Just be respectful of a person's point of view even if it differs from your own. There are booklets available at most libraries called "Reading Group Choices" for each year. These are sometimes helpful. Not all librarians are avid readers (you would think that would be a prerequisite for the job), but many are. Seek those staff members out. When they get to know you and your tastes, they are an excellent source for possibilities. Book magazines like Pages or Bookmarks (these can also be available at your local library) are good choices as well for selections.

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

A: In my case --- since I am a member of the book club as well as a librarian --- it provides the appropriate connection. Someone from your book club should act as a liaison with your local library. This can be invaluable in terms of books, suggestions, etc.

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

A: We don't at present, though I am hoping that this will change. We are trying to strengthen our ties with the community in many ways and this is one way we can provide a boost to library services, as well as foster cohesiveness in our community.

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

A: Not really, other than to say that we have had some wonderful personal anecdotes sprinkled liberally through our meetings. They will be sparked by something that one of the characters in the book did or said, but tie into the personal life of one of our members, and greatly enhance the socialization and joy we experience as women and book lovers.

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 think that one of the noteworthy things about book clubs is that they seem to come up with some interesting picks sometimes. The books suggested are not always mainstream or classics, just word-of-mouth "good reads," and word of mouth is always the best kind of advertising.

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: Yes, I belong to a book club. There is nothing better than getting together with a number of friends over good food and having an interesting discussion about a good book. It is one of life's pleasures. I have always been an avid reader, and being able to share this passion with like-minded friends is a delight. One of the joys of a book club is that you pick up books suggested by someone else to read that you might not necessarily pick up on your own. Sometimes this doesn't work well, but a lot of times it provides a pleasant surprise. Since my stock in trade is good books, I think I could provide titles and ideas without my book club connection...but it doesn't hurt.

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