Book Club Kit Program: An Evaluation

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18060/27338

Keywords:

book clubs, academic health sciences libraries, public libraries, outreach, community engagment, interviews

Abstract

Background: Book clubs consist of groups of people reading and discussing the same books. Some book clubs are organized by public librarians. A far smaller number of health sciences librarians are involved with coordinating book clubs.

Objectives: This case report employed a survey and phone interviews to determine why a book club kits program organized by health sciences librarians did not generate more enthusiasm.

Lessons Learned: The investigators found that direct phone interviews rather than a survey elicited the needed information. Many public libraries, particularly those in rural areas, are directed by people not even possessing a Master’s degree in library or information science. Strategies for promoting use of the book club kits to these public librarians required different approaches.

Conclusions: Through a deeper understanding of rural public librarians' circumstances and needs, the investigators gained new insights on how health sciences librarians might possibly reach public librarians more effectively.

References

McCook Kathleen de la Peña, Bossaller JS. Introduction to Public Librarianship. Third ed. Chicago: ALA Neal-Schuman; 2018. https://hslic-unm.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1047729276. Accessed January 27, 2023

Haley J, McCall RC, Zomorodi M, de Saxe Zerdan L, Moreton B Richardson L. Interprofessional collaboration between health sciences librarians and health professions faculty to implement a book club discussion for incoming students [published correction appears in J Med Libr Assoc. 2019 Oct 107(4):637]. Journal of the Medical Library Association. 2019;107(3):403-410. doi:10.5195/jama.2019.536

Stephenson PL, Clever S, Coady TR, Ender D, Heyd M, Peth S. Book clubs—outreach opportunities for hospital libraries. Medical Reference Services Quarterly. 2014;33(4):448-459. doi:10.1080/02763869.2014.957096

Timm, DF, Woodson D, Jones D. Book discussion course: timely topics for medical students. Medical Reference Services Quarterly.2014;33(2):147-156. doi:10.1080/02763869.2014.897513.

National Library of Medicine (US). National Network of Libraries of Medicine. NNLM Reading Club. Accessed April 20, 2023. https://www.nnlm.gov/nnlm-reading-club

Ibid.

New Mexico. State Library. Library Locations and Information. Accessed April 20, 2023. https://nmstatelibrary.org/services-for-new-mexico-libraries/electronic-discussion-lists/

New Mexico Library Association Native American Special Interest Group. Accessed August 10, 2023. https://nmla.org/NALSIG

University of New Mexico. Hospital. Health Literacy Office. Accessed August 10, 2023. https://unmhealth.org/community/health-literacy.html

State of New Mexico. State Library. Annual Public Library Statistics FY2021. Accessed April 25, 2023. https://nmstatelibrary.org/services-for-new-mexico-libraries/statistical-reports/

McKee I. "Ben-Hur" Wallace: The Life of General Lew Wallace. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press; 1947: 163.

Downloads

Published

09/13/2023

How to Cite

Weig-Pickering, A., & Eldredge, J. (2023). Book Club Kit Program: An Evaluation . Hypothesis: Research Journal for Health Information Professionals, 35(2). https://doi.org/10.18060/27338

Issue

Section

Hypothesis: Failure

Categories