| MAIN LIBRARY | 847-742-2411 |
| 270 N. Grove Ave. | Elgin, IL 60120 |
| MONDAY-THURSDAY | 9am-9pm |
| FRIDAY & SATURDAY | 9am-6pm |
| SUNDAY | Noon-5pm |
Book Clubs
Book clubs offer readers the opportunity to enrich their reading experience, by sharing their thoughts, ideas and perspectives. The library has several book clubs readers can join, as well as resources for those wishing to set up their own club or participate in one.
Library Book Discussion Groups
Contemporary Fiction Book Group
This group discusses current literary fiction once a month.
- 2012-2013 schedule
- Meets in the 2nd floor conference room.
Contact: Tish at 847-289-5838 or tcalhamer@gailborden.info.
This group discusses some of the world's greatest books of literature, philosophy, economics, political science, and psychology once a month.
- 2012-2013 schedule
- Meetings are the second Monday of the month from 6:55 p.m. to 8:55 p.m. at the Gail Borden Public Library. You may attend the discussion group without registering. Just join the group at any time.
Contacts: Information Desk at 847-429-4680 or the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Great Books coordinator, Rachel Bloomberg, at 630-391-2966 or at rachelg@gmail.com.
The Rakow Readers Book Group is for readers interested in reading and discussing contemporary fiction and nonfiction.
- 2012 - 2013 schedule
- Meets at the Rakow Branch on the fourth Monday of each month.
Contact: Susan at 847-531-7271 or sfarnham@gailborden.info.
This group meets for a four week cycle, where they discuss one book every Wednesday for those four weeks. When the group has over 10 members the group will be divided into two to discuss different titles.
- 2012-2013 schedule
- Meets at the Outdoor Stage at 7:00 pm. During the winter months or in cases of inclement weather the club will meet in the lobby of the Centre of Elgin.
Contact: Nancy at 847-289-5840 or nhaggard@gailborden.info.
Join Dear Reader.
Each day we'll email you a 5-minute portion of a book. During the week you can read 2-3 chapters and decide if you want to check the book out of the library. Every Monday we start new books. Sign up and start reading today.
Book Club in a Bag
If you are in a book club and don’t want to spend time trying to locate enough copies of the same title or preparing questions for your next discussion, just stop by the Adult Services Information Desk and ask for the Book Club In A Bag you want. You check out the entire bag of 10 books, distribute the paperbacks to your group in time for your next discussion, and everyone returns the books to you after your discussion. Then you return the whole bag to the library.
Online book clubs, book reviews, and discussion guides:
Books:
- Recipe for a book club : a monthly guide for hosting your own reading group : menus & recipes, featured authors, suggested readings, and topical questions. by Mary O'Hare and Rose Storey, 2004.
- The readers' choice : 200 book club favorites. by Victoria Golden McMains, 2000.
- Reading Oprah : how Oprah's book club changed the way America reads. by Cecilia Konchar Farr, 2005.
How do I start my own book club?
- Ask several friends, co-workers, and other acquaintances if they’d be interested in being in a book club with you. If your number seems small (anywhere from 5-12 people is a good size for a group), ask people to bring a friend.
- Decide what kinds of books you want to read—classics, best-sellers, literature, mysteries, anything and everything, etc. Tip: make sure books are available in paperback or at the library if cost is a concern.
- Decide how often and when you want to meet. Important: plan on meeting even if you hear people have other plans. Always keep your meeting dates on the calendar, e.g. first Monday of the month or every other Thursday.
- Pick a place where you will meet, or plan on each member hosting a meeting and rotating through your list of members.
- Decide if one person is going to lead the discussion or if club members will take turns. Discussion questions are available online, and some books include guides at the end.
- Pick out at least 6 months’ worth of titles at once. Club members can each pick one title and plan on hosting that discussion, a set-up that works well. Be sure to pick titles that are available at your library or bookstore.
- Library staff are happy to help you with any step of the process: choosing titles, obtaining copies of books, or even providing small study rooms for your meeting. Just ask at the Information Desk.
Note:
If you are in a local book club and are having trouble obtaining books, please let us help!
We can borrow book club titles from other libraries, even if those titles are in our own collection. Fill out a Material Request Form at the Information Desk or online and indicate that you need that title for a book discussion group.
