ThisWeek UA 05/11/2011
Oprah Winfrey may be responsible for popularizing book clubs, but the Upper Arlington Public Library is responsible for making many local book clubs happen.
The library regularly hosts book clubs, including one in partnership with Upper Arlington High School and Panera Bread called “books and bagels.”
But a new program, the library’s “book-club-in-a-bag” option, has become an equally popular option, particularly with the youth.
“We started hosting book discussions with parents and their children for third- through fifth-graders a few years ago,” said Kate Hastings, a youth services librarian at the main library. “It became so popular, we were able to expand it to two groups, one of second- and third-graders, another of fourth- and fifth-graders. Unfortunately, due to budget cuts, we had to cut back these programs (to just one).”
Those programming cutbacks created a demand for the library’s book-club-in-a-bag option. The book-club-in-a-bag provides patrons of all ages with the option of checking out a set of 10 books and discussion materials so they may host their own book club with friends. Many of the book clubs meet at the library.
“We’re full nearly every discussion,” Hastings said. “Last year we even had a few discussions that were moved into the Friends Theater because we didn’t have enough room in our regular space.”
Upper Arlington fifth-grader Gabriella Ott agrees.
“I’ve used (the book-club-in-a-bag) a couple of times with my friends, and it’s so fun,” Ott said. “About six of us used the discussion questions as well as our own ideas about the books — but the questions really helped start the conversation.”
The multi-age programs are more than just the experience of sharing a book, according to Hastings. It is also a chance for parents to talk about topics that might otherwise not come up with their kids, and it gives older children the ability to teach younger children how to read, which has the effect of instilling greater confidence in their reading skills.
“Having a range of ages when you do this with kids gives the older kids a chance to take the lead,” Hastings said. “It’s really a good chance to turn kids around about reading — older kids, too.”
The high-school program takes place throughout the school year, making the book-club-in-a-bag a good opportunity during summer months.
“We challenge (the high school kids) with adult titles, both classics and new books, that they might not otherwise get exposure to,” Hastings said.
Ott and her friends enjoy the variety they find in the book-club-in-a-bag, she said, most recently reading “The Tale of Despereaux.”
“The (book-club-in-a-bag) has such variety and has been such a good experience,” Ott said. “With books, I can go anywhere.”
The Library Link newsletter and events schedule for the summer will be available beginning Friday, May 13, and provides information about the Summer Reading Club and other upcoming book club programs, as well as book club registration information.
Book-club-in-a-bag materials are available for check-out by patrons in the youth, young adult and adult sections of the library.