How to Start a Book Club at Work
Book clubs are one way to get to know your coworkers and to share common interests in the workplace. As the participants discuss what they have read and enjoy refreshments, they can build a bond that will help them interact better while they work.
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Instructions
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Start a Book Club at Work
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Pass the word. To see if your coworkers are interested in starting a book club at work, place a flyer in the break room, if your company has one. With management's permission, send out a company email.
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Pick a place. Talk to the person in charge of room scheduling. Find a location where you will be allowed to meet. A common choice would be the break room or a conference room, if one is available.
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Get organized. Meet with everyone who is interested. Discuss the kinds of books that you would like to read. Decide how many chapters you'll want to read every week. Ask for a volunteer to lead the discussions. You might decide to have several people take turns.
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Get your books. Decide if the book club members will need to buy their own books. Your employer might cover the cost; you'll never know until you ask. Many libraries, if their inventory is large enough, will loan you enough copies for a book club. If your town has a used bookstore, it might have some copies of the chosen book. Or you might have one member order discount copies from an online website, and the others can pay her back.
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Plan refreshments. Snacks are a welcome part of any meeting. Pass around a sign-up sheet for volunteers who will provide the treats.
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Meet each week to discuss the book, if you prefer. Some groups might need to meet every other week, or once a month. Prepare questions ahead of time, if you're leading the discussion.
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Keep going. Before you finish the book you're discussing, decide with the group members what they would like to read next.
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Tips & Warnings
Send out an email every time the group starts a new book. Other coworkers may be interested in the new choice and join the group.
Start the meetings on time. You don't want to waste anyone's time in the workplace.
Resources
- Photo Credit Flickr user guldfisken
