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We have no written reading groups strategy, I would be interested to see an example of one.

I consult with the members of the reading groups on what books they would like to read next and discussion often runs to the general running of the library service, and I probably get some ideas, but nothing official.

I started with two reading groups, then another two were added.  I recently held a training morning for community library staff, assistants and librarians, on how to set up and run a reading group. This was to enthuse and encourage staff in other libraries to start reading groups. It seemed to work and another three were started.

I ran a reading group in Cornton Vale Women's Prison. It started a few people reading more, ran for about eighteen months, but then petered out. As only part of my wider remit, it was difficult to maintain continuity as sometimes I would go up for a group meeting and there would be a lock out or some such. I have now secured funding for a Reader in Residence, so this situation will greatly improve.

My readers write reviews for me and I use them with the collections I circulate around the branches.

I buy multiple copies, ten of the same title. I get a reader development budget of £1000 per annum. Once the library based groups have had all the titles, I offer them free to borrow to private reading groups. A named person takes responsibility for them.

Once it has been around all the reading groups, library and private, I send the multiple copies, as sets, around the community libraries as 'reading group recommendation book of the month' with a reader centred  bubble blurb. I have been assured by all libraries involved in this promotion that  the books fly off the shelves like 'sna aff a dyke'. I wanted to do this as I can then keep the books together as multiple copies in case other groups come on board.

If another neighbouring authority wanted to borrow sets, I would not mind. This could work in the same way as the private groups with one person being responsible and also collecting the book from one of our libraries.