Contact:[email protected]

Walsall libraries use the following as a guide for running it's reading groups.  We do co-operate in sharing titles between groups with Wolverhampton and Dudley Libraries as part of Black Country Libraries in Partnership ((BCLIP) which also includes Sandwell Libraries).

STOCK
• 5 sets of books are bought per year with 20 copies of each title.
• These sets to be kept for exclusive use by reading groups in Walsall & for use by BCLIP, for 2 years and then split up and distributed to branches if their condition is still reasonable.
• Other titles for use by the reading groups will need to be supplied from stock with copies added to stock to top up to15 copies.
• Reading Group sets will be put on the catalogue as collections and requested by reading groups as a whole. They will not be available to satisfy requests from other branches.
• Top up stock will be allocated to branches that have not already got copies and requested by reading groups in the normal manner. Other requests from members of the public will be satisfied in chronological order.
• Stock from Reading Group sets will be marked on the spine & on the date label to show staff they belong to a collection.

STORAGE
• Approx 20 sets of books to be kept in Central Librarian’s office temporarily until better accommodation can be found.
• On purchase of following year’s collection selected sets to be separated and distributed to appropriate branches.

ADMIN
• Supervisors from branches with a readers group should request books early enough to get them ready to be picked up at the meeting
• Books should be sent back to their home base when returned not kept at the reading group branch until the set is complete.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
• We should set up more readers groups where there is a possible interest.
• There should be a limit on numbers at each group because of the number of books we can supply and also the number of people discussing a book to make sure everyone gets an opportunity to contribute. We recommend 15 as a maximum number
• Staff enjoy their involvement with reading groups, this enthusiasm should be recognised and encouraged because it lifts staff morale and is reflected in their commitment to their job and shows in the rest of their work.
• Other trips should be organised to other festivals e.g. Cheltenham, Nottingham Crime festival etc.
• We should also facilitate the attendance of author events put on by other authorities
• One member of staff needs to take responsibility for any trips organised and so should be given the appropriate time to do so.
• We need to look for external funding for author visits etc.