Original Question: May 6, 2013

Robert Jones (IL)

Good Morning: Quick question….is a book club considered a program? I say no but the library director’s argument is the book discussion group “engages patrons in using our resources in order to complete the club”. I’m still not buying it so thought I’d turn to you all for some feedback. If book clubs do not count as a program, can we look at including this exclusion in the definition for PLSC 600?

Thanks for your help!

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SDC Comments:

Susan Mark (WY)

Are you talking a book club not organized by the library -- like a private thing where they check out a book club kit? Or a group that books a room, but the library's not involved?

If the library organizes it and they meet at the library I'd say yes, it's a program. Can you give more details so we know exactly what's involved?

I'd also count online book clubs if it's a program set up by the library. Each online book club program = one program.

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Laura Stone (AZ)

What's your thinking on why a book club wouldn't be a program? Would it matter if it has "professional" facilitation? Is it a community group just using the space? Or is the library hosting, publicizing, etc.?

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Robert Jones (IL)

Thanks for all of the responses. The book club does not meet at the library. I’m not clear on whether or not the library hosts the book club or if this is something the director may be doing on her own (it’s a small public library). But I got enough from you all to better respond to her question!!

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Susan Mark (WY)

We have Humanities Council book clubs where it's entirely possible the library could get the grant and arrange the materials, but not meet at the library. If it's facilitated by someone like that, but not physically at the library, I'd count it. I think there just has to be some library involvement and support beyond having the books. 

Of course, this would not count if it were merely the director's personal book group. 

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Ruth Hyatt (AR)

I do let them count book clubs as a program.  Any event that requires library resources, and staff time (I am assuming that a staff person or library volunteer is running the book club sessions) to prepare and perform is counted as a library program.

I do not let them count other groups or organizations using library space for an independent event.  So, if an independent group is using library space for their book club meetings but do not require assistance or leadership from library staff/volunteers or library materials in the form of sets purchased for book club use, that group would not be counted as a library program.

We are thinking of adding a question about library meeting/program space used for non-library programs or meetings to our survey. 

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Scott Dermont (IA)

We have a question on our survey asking for meeting room use. We count the number of times the rooms are used, but not attendance.

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Jamie McCanless (WI)

Ditto Susan’s response. Provided that the library actually sponsors/organizes/conducts a book club, we would count it as a program. If the library’s only involvement is to engage patrons in using library resources, the book club would not be a program.