In the past, librarians at the Duluth Public Library might have discouraged patrons from checking out 10 library books at a time -- for other people. Now, they encourage it.
Through a new book club initiative, "Book Club in a Bag," patrons may now borrow 10 copies of the same book at once for their own book club use, at home or elsewhere.
Colleen Garrett lives in Duluth's Piedmont neighborhood. She has participated in the same book club for just over 10 years. She now uses Book Club in a Bag.
"Our book club got so big -- 14 people -- so we started using Book Club in a Bag," said Garrett, noting that some people in her group read faster than others, so books are passed around among members. "We get more books without having to spend a lot of money. We all appreciate it."
Garrett also said it was convenient that one person from the group could go and get all the books all at once.
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Each Book Club in a Bag kit contains 10 books, a study guide, background information about the book and the author, and possible discussion questions. Book kits can be checked out for six weeks, two at a time.
Steve Adams, librarian in the fiction and media department at the library, helped start Book Club in a Bag. He encouraged people who may want to start a book club to come to the library and ask for information about how to start.
"We get questions at the main desk about whether there are book clubs in the area," he said. "Those folks asking at the desk often don't know about other resources we have at the library that would help them. For example, we have a magazine called "bookmarks" that previews book clubs in other areas of the United States and does book reviews for club purposes."
"We're excited," said Renee Zurn, library supervisor of digital and outreach services. "We think it's going to be really fun -- all different kinds of titles and all different kinds of people. Duluth has a nice diversity of readership. We want that opinion and discussion in our clubs."
The library has also initiated a book club of its own based on Book Club in a Bag. The club will meet once each month at the library downtown. The first meeting is Oct. 22.
Richmond Kinney, a staff librarian, will lead the first meeting, a discussion of "In the Lake of the Woods" by Tim O'Brien. Kinney selects her books from the Book Club in a Bag at the library.
"Then I know we'll have at least 10 -- and probably 15 or 16 copies -- in our library," she said. "I want to make sure people don't have to pay for it -- that they can participate without spending money."
Kinney has a number of future books already planned for upcoming meetings.
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"I think the DPL book club is going to be great for the library community and the Duluth community in general," she said. "It provides an open book club where anyone can come at any time. You don't have to make any commitments. It's free. It's a great way to start reading again and get to know your fellow Duluthians."
Each Book Club in a Bag kit contains:
- 10 books
- a study guide
- background information about the book and the author
- possible discussion questions
Book kits can be checked out for six weeks, two at a time. Contact the downtown Duluth Library for more information: (218)730-4200.
