GREENFIELD — If you’ve been thinking about starting a book club, or have been a member of one for quite some time, it’s easier than ever to get help from the Greenfield Public Library, which has announced its “Book Club in a Box” program.
Greenfield Public Library Assistant Head of Borrower Services Francesca Passiglia said the library currently has 23 titles to choose from in its new program, with each box containing eight copies of the book a club chooses; an information binder that includes discussion questions; book reviews not only from the New York Times, but from fellow patrons who read the book and wrote a little something; author interviews; and a club feedback notebook.
“We know there are quite a few book clubs in our community, because they’ve been coming in for books for years,” Passiglia said. “Members have put books on hold. Now, they can get what they need all in one box.”
Passiglia said that though boxes contain eight books, clubs with more members can ask for extra copies. She said boxes can be checked out to a library card holder who picks it up. That person is responsible for the return of the box and its contents. Two boxes can be checked out at one time, and there is a six-week loan period.
The idea arose as an offshoot of the library’s adult summer reading program.
“Staff pick books each summer for the program,” Passiglia said. “It’s funded by the Friends of the Greenfield Public Library.”
Passiglia said typically, at the end of the summer reading program, the library gives the Friends the extra books and the group sells them at one of its book sales. Now, it will use those books for the Book Club in a Box.
Some of the information provided by the library includes how to start a book club and how to keep a lively conversation going.
“Sometimes we even include recipes, if it makes sense,” she said. “We include drawing pages for graphic novels, for instance.”
Passiglia said the library personalizes each box. The library does not offer any book clubs of its own because of space limitations, but she said once the new library is built, it will offer programs like book clubs once again.
“We offer everything from nonfiction and fiction to historical fiction, young adult, graphic, fantasy and science fiction, to Pulitzer Prize winners,” Passiglia said. “We want to appeal to every reader and every club.”
She said interested book clubs can pick up a brochure that lists all of the titles available at the circulation desk. Boxes must be picked up at the Greenfield Public Library and returned to the circulation desk during library hours. Boxes can be renewed once for another six-week period.
“Everyone is welcome to take out a Book Club in a Box,” Passiglia said. “We’re still fine-tuning the program, but it’s up and running.”
Visit the library’s website at: greenfieldpubliclibrary.org or call 413-772-1544, ext. 5123 for more information.
Reach Anita Fritz at
413-772-0261, ext. 269 or afritz@recorder.com.