When you read the words “book club,” what image comes to mind? Well-coiffed ladies drinking tea with pinkies raised? Stuffy, erudite discussions of obscure literature? If so, you’d be surprised by my book club. I began “leading” them about five years ago, but they had been meeting together for years before I arrived, led by various library staff members. They are a passionate group. They will read almost anything (and have), love to laugh, and never lack for an opinion. Awkward silences are an unknown phenomena.
Don’t get me wrong, we love a good cup of tea and a deep discussion as much as the next book club, but each meeting is about so much more than that. The group still boasts a few founding members – ladies who have been retired for some time after lives spent working, reading, and raising families. Some members are professionals who sprint to bookclub after work, fitting in dinner and getting kids to football practice along the way. We were recently joined by a bright-eyed 13 year old boy, the son of one of our members. In the midst of our chaotic, lively discussion, he made himself heard by raising his hand respectfully to give his (rather intelligent and mature) opinions. The rest of us laughed and considered whether we all should raise our hands, since talking over each other is a common result of our enthusiasm. Our members ages are scattered across seven decades, and yet when you leave each meeting you have forgotten that such a thing as age even exists. All are equal, with wonderful insight, experiences, and points of view.
No two book discussions are ever the same. Books are passionately loved, roundly despised, yawningly tolerated, or controversially debated. You never, ever have to worry that someone won’t tell you what they think. We have had some of the best discussions over books we really didn’t like. Being a part of the book club is something I wasn’t sure I could keep doing when I became director – but in truth I can’t give it up. This group of people cares about each other more than just the books they read, and it makes the books that much more interesting.
The kind of community we find in our book club exists throughout our library. It is a place where people have invested, not just in our library, but in their community. Community exists in book clubs, craft clubs, study groups, story times, and volunteer work. It is in the long conversation between an eight year old and staff member while checking out a stack of books, or in the dramatic description of a school day between a teen and a librarian. Our community is why we are here, and they make everything we do worthwhile.
Maybe my book club can’t beat up your book club (it’s just a saying from a t-shirt, after all), but it sure is one of my favorite places to be.