book clubs + libraries

[Nari - The Novel World]

The library system I work for is trying to figure out how to merge book clubs and excess library books. I haven't ever been a part of a book club, so I come to all of you for advice and feedback.

There are about 20 libraries in our system, so we usually end up with about 20 copies of certain titles. After a while, these titles are sent to a Harvesting collection. We want to figure out how to use these books, instead of just letting them collect dust on the shelves.

For those of you in book clubs, what do you look for in a book club? How do you go about the book selection? by genre, author, Oprah's bookclub, best seller list?

How do you think the library should try to approach book club members into hosting their meetings at a library instead of, say a cafe?

Thanks so much for you ideas! I really appreciate this!

[V]

Put out an ad in the local paper and see if you can't get a leader to start one. Romance book readers club would be a good place to start as would mysteries.

[Book Calendar]

Romance is the most popular genre. Also combining the club with another activity might be a good idea. Adding a book element to existing clubs can work as well. For example you can do a poetry reading and display poetry books, or a knitting club and display knitting books. Tie in other clubs with books. Have a chess club and bring chess books.

[Anysia]

My library system actually hosts book clubs and advertises them on the front page of their website. A bit more work, but you could always try that route.

[Amber Stults]

One of my local libraries does the same thing!

[Jodie]

I'd try hosting your own bookclub instead, then you can control the titles read and use your excess books. Alternatively loan the books out to bookclubs in your area so they can take them away to thie regular venue. You could get all the members to sign up for a library card as well, increase your members.

[Nari - The Novel World]

Thanks so much for your great ideas. I'll report back to my supervisor and see if we can get started using up all these books.

Just as a general questions, how often do book club members look into libraries to find the selected books? Do you guys prefer to just buy the book instead, to mark it up with notes?

[Anysia]

My sin-in-law belongs to a book club that gets their books from the library system. If you're looking for books to buy for book clubs, I would suggest looking at books that publishers are supporting with reader guides or other facilitation materials. For some books these come at the back of the book and for some they are they are separate materials (Be wary of separate materials that may go missing). Some also provide material downloaded from the website (offer to provide these for book clubs with no internet access).

Good luck.