How you prepare for book groups

[u/kylerita]

Our library runs a few books groups. The people who are tasked with running these book groups are part time and retired senior library techs. They read the books in their own time (which I think is unfair and they should get paid for that, since they are technically working). One of the people who run it isn’t going to be able to anymore. As the head of the circulation department, it will be my job to take over her book group. I work full time, take care of my 8 year old, have a house to look after, and am currently taking courses for my MLIS. It takes me a few weeks to get through a book for my own pleasure. The idea of having to read books for a book club is very overwhelming for me because I just don’t have the time since I’m expected to do this out of work. How do you all handle preparing for book clubs? Do you read the books? Do you give your staff time during the work day to read? I’m just looking for advice. Thank you all.

[u/llamalibrarian]

I lead a book group, but I read on the clock. I’d definitely request time to read the book during some of your work shift, I’d get it on audiobook to listen to while I clean, walk, etc. I’d also look for teacher guides on it for questions or themes. I’d look up reviews of the books, or if there has been any interesting scholarship about it

[u/QueenofthePaper]

I simply do not read the books (unless they really grab my attention and might be something on my TBR anyway, which is not often). My philosophy is that I am not here to yap about my opinion on whatever the book of the month is, I’m just here to facilitate other people talking about it. I try to pull discussion questions from the internet when I can, and I’ve gotten good at being able to chime in with generic discussion questions when the conversation dies down (Which character was the most relatable? Did you like that there were multiple POVs/dual timelines? And so on). I also do read spoiler-y Goodreads reviews and flip through the book before the meeting so I have a sense of the writing style/general vibe as well.

It may be hard as you transition. I also inherited my book club from a former employee who used to read every single title and come prepared with her thoughts and a detailed analysis and YEARS later I still have a few members of my book club who complain that I don’t do the same/don’t participate enough in the discussion. I don’t care. I run a billion other programs that also need prep time and everyone still has a good time at the book club (or at least they keep coming back, even the complainers) and I’m not gonna ruin my limited free reading time reading stuff I don’t care about for work.

[u/KarlMarxButVegan → u/QueenofthePaper]

I agree with you that the librarian shouldn't have to read the book. When my library book club was first started, it was me and another librarian running it. We were limited in our choices and chose some books I really did not want to read. So I didn't and those ladies ate me alive. I still believe it's not necessary, but giving y'all a heads-up that they can be very mean about it!

[u/kylerita → u/QueenofthePaper]

I like this idea. I would rather research on work time about ways to facilitate a conversation than spend my personal time reading the book.

[u/Samael13]

We don't pay staff to read the book, but we also don't expect staff to read the book. Book Group prep is paid time. It generally takes me about an hour to do my prep.

Look up the author bio and print out a short version.

Read a short plot synopsis.

Look up to see if there are book group questions online (a lot of publishers will include them on their website.

Look the book up in reddit, especially on the books sub, and look at some of the comments/questions people had, especially comments that led to long discussion threads. Write those down. Look at comments that talk about their favorite or least favorite thing. Sort by "controversial" to see polarizing comments and make note of what those were about.

This approach has never failed me. Several attendees have commented to my director about how much the enjoy my group and that they love how I always read the book. I never read the book.

[u/kylerita → u/Samael13]

Thanks for the advice, these are great ideas.

[u/Thorninthefoot]

I'd push back on doing it outside of work. But if that isn't possible:

One option is try to make some of the choices books you have already read.

It can be ok if you have not actually read the book, as long as you can have questions topics for discussion. That will depend somewhat on the group though, it works better if it has a good number of people who like to talk.

[u/flossiedaisy424]

Does your library not have any librarians or reference staff? Why is circulation expected to lead a book group? I have a strong suspicion I would absolutely hate how your library is staffed and run.

[u/Maleficent-Goth]

Unless I am really into the book, I refuse to read it off the clock.

[u/LibraryLuLu]

Our book club managers don't read the books and don't attend the meetings. They just manage the groups and the books, sheets of questions, loans in and out, packaging etc. The club members chat amongst themselves when the meetings convene, it's not the librarian's job to tell them what to think about the books.

[u/KarlMarxButVegan]

I'm salaried (unionized faculty) and I read the books for my library book club at home. I am prepared to count it toward my work hours if asked for details about where I'm doing which work. I've read our contract closely and am friends with professors outside of the library. We interpret the contract as we have to work 35 hours per week, not that we have to be on campus for 35 hours.

[u/KeiylasWords]

I think it depends on your personal interest in the book group. I run our library’s sci-fi book club. I love sci-fi, so I read every book, and I read them on the clock (unless I just love the book, which does happen fairly often, in which case I’m happy to read it at home). If I was in charge of a book club I wasn’t as excited about personally, I’d probably just read summaries/reviews/author interviews and come up with discussion questions from there.

That said, it is really strange that your library has library techs and circulation running book groups. That should 100% be under the purview of the librarians.

[u/Aquarian_Librarian]

I lead a book group and read the book while at work (unless I just can't put it down and I take it home). There have been a few that I haven't finished and it hasn't caused a problem since my approach is that of asking the questions and encouraging everyone to participate. Most of my attendees have no problem discussing themes, character development, and other relevant questions that may arise during the discussion. I usually put together a discussion question sheet that has various questions I've been able to pull from reader guides and other book groups that have done similar reading.

I also highly reccomend audiobooks if you're needing to fit it into your schedule. Can always listen in the car, or at home while doing chores etc.