Adult Book Discussions in the Public Library: A Participatory Discussion on a Popular Library Program

Many libraries offer book discussions; according to statistics, they are the most commonly offered program for adult patrons. As with any program, however, the actual organization and execution of a successful book discussion can raise questions and concerns. What makes a discussion a "success?" Should participants pre-register or should it be more informal? This four-week class provides an opportunity to share ideas on these and other related topics, including:

• The philosophies behind offering book discussions;
• How to choose the best titles for discussions, and
• How to deal with patrons who talk too much, don't talk enough, or who go off-topic.

The class also involves two online book discussions: one on a fiction title, one on a nonfiction title. Class participants are required to post to two different discussion modules on a weekly basis: the online book discussion and the "nuts & bolts" discussion. Frequent postings are encouraged.

One written assignment is required: class participants are asked to use the Drop Box to submit a prepared list of discussion questions for the nonfiction title.

Textbooks:

Participants need to read the novel, Love and Other Impossible Pursuits by Ayelet Waldman, by the first day of class; they need to read Catherine Gildiner's memoir, Too Close to the Falls, by Monday, March 15. Reading Running Book Discussion Groups by Lauren Zina John is highly encouraged.

Your instructor:

Liz Dannenbaum has been leading book discussions at the Middleton Public Library for 22 years. She is a great believer in the benefits of adult book discussions and has participated in them both on the job and off. She has discussed the "how tos" on different conference panels, and she is becoming increasingly interested in how this kind of library program can be offered online with the same level of success.

Login information for the course is e-mailed to students a few days before the course begins.

To register:

• ONLINE registration - Fill out a form on the Web, pay by credit card, or have your institution billed
• Print out a registration form and return by fax or mail - instructions on form
• Call the Pyle Center Registration Office: (608) 262-2451