The Half Hollow Hills Community Library in Dix Hills, NY hosts four book groups every month. The library's Director, Michele Lauer-Bader, provides ReadingGroupGuides.com with a different perspective on book clubs by explaining how they're established and run, from an administrator's point of view. Also, as a member of a reading group herself, she describes the personal and social benefits of these activities and shares how her own involvement acts as an asset to her work.

Q: Does your library host any book clubs? If so, are they based on a certain theme or genre (i.e., mystery)? How often do the groups meet?

A: My library has four book clubs that meeting monthly. Two are fiction (one in each of our library buildings), one is for nonfiction enthusiasts (requested by a patron), and one is for those patrons interested in the classics (led by a volunteer, a retired teacher in the community). The last one actually meets twice a month.

Q: How many members are in each group? How many men, how many women? What ages are most of the members? Are the groups open to accepting new members?

A: The fiction groups each have about 15-20 people monthly. They consist of all women, I believe, although an occasional man drops in. The nonfiction group has about 8-10 regular members. The classics club has about 3-4 regulars.

Q: Who leads the book discussions? Are reading group discussion guides used?

A: One fiction group and the nonfiction group are led by librarians on staff (or myself, the library director). The other fiction club is led by a paid leader, and the classics club is led by a volunteer retired teacher.

Q: How are books selected? Is a new one chosen at each meeting, or are they chosen for a number of meetings ahead of time?

A: A combination of member recommendations and leader choices.

Q: What were some of the best discussions or favorite books the groups have read?

A: Today, the fiction group --- led by myself --- discussed Amagansett by Mark Mills, as part of the annual Long Island Reads event. We all loved it. Even books many of us don't really like have great discussions. We recently read The Motorcycle Diaries by Che Guevera, and although many participants didn't like the book, we had a spirited discussion.

Q: How are book club meetings kept interesting and fun?

A: Food, laughter, sharing.

Q: What advice would you give to other libraries that would like to start hosting book clubs, or provide resources for ones in the community? What are the benefits to hosting book clubs at a library?

A: In regards to starting clubs, be persistent. Sometimes it takes a while to get a new program off the ground. Try to get an article in the local weekly newspaper.

One of the benefits of hosting clubs is getting to know library patrons on a more personal level, creating community.

Q: What general advice would you give to book club members? Any specific ideas for making reading selections?

A: Try not to be too intellectual. Invite suggestions from participants.

Q. How can book clubs better utilize resources at their local libraries?

A: Ask the library if it will get multiple copies of titles for your group, as well as discussion guides (my library does this). Ask about NoveList or What do I read Next? --- two databases to help people find books of interest.

Q: Does your library offer anything special for book clubs?

A: See the previous answer.

Q: Are you a member of a book club? If so, what do you enjoy most about the experience from a reader's perspective? Does being in a book club enable you to better suggest both titles and discussion ideas to reading groups?

A: I belong to a personal book group that meets at night. We have met for about 5-6 years, and most of us have kids about the same age and from the same high school. Three of us all have daughters who went to Smith College. I guess you could say we have bonded. We also have dinner out once a year at a local restaurant we like to support.

Yes, being in the group is an asset. I often use the same titles in my group at work. Reading a book a second time with a different group is not boring or redundant.

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