Dec 4, 2023
With Cathy Russ, Director of The West Bloomfield Michigan Public Library
As the snow and cold weather arrive, there’s no better time to hunker down and catch up on our reading. But with so many newly released books, it’s hard even to know where to begin. Thankfully, your local librarian can offer some great recommendations. According to Cathy Russ, the Director of The West Bloomfield Michigan Public Library, celebrity autobiographies are extremely popular right now. In addition to number-one bestsellers by Matthew Perry and Britney Spears, recently published memoirs by Henry Winkler, Barbara Streisand, and Dolly Parton make great holiday gifts.
Or, if you prefer best-selling fiction novels, Cathy suggests, The Exchange, the sequel to John Grisham’s blockbuster novel, The Firm. If you’re looking for your next book club, check out Tom Lake, by Ann Patchett, an emotionally gripping family saga that takes place during the pandemic in Northern Michigan.
According to Cathy, the availability of digital streaming Apps like Hoopla and Kanopy makes lending libraries more accessible than ever before. In addition to eBooks and movies, you can borrow your favorite audiobook or download music to your phone. You can even take advantage of the library waiting list through the App and place a hold on a particular item. Best of all, instead of paying a monthly surcharge to your favorite music streaming service, the cost is free. Just think of the money you’ll save!
But did you know that many public libraries also offer a full range of business services? When was the last time you visited your local library? If it’s been a while, you might be surprised to learn all the amazing things the library provides these days. In addition to internet access, printing, scanning, and faxing, many libraries also have private meeting rooms available.
One of the advantages of “working” from a library is the convenient hours of operation. The majority of public libraries offer evening hours and are open seven days a week. If you need help researching a particular topic or perhaps studying industry trends for a new business venture, why not ask the librarian for help? You could even access the library database from the comfort of your own home. Finally, to keep up with all the latest offerings, you can follow your Library on social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook to learn about upcoming events. Please listen to Florine’s 2021 interview with Cathy Russ.
What You’ll Hear on This Episode:
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What happens at a book club?
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How are book clubs organized, and who usually picks the book?
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What happens if you don’t like the book you’re assigned to read?
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Do themed book clubs exist?
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How book clubs can help you expand your knowledge and even what you are interested in reading.
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What are some of the most popular authors and books right now?
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What are Book Group kits?
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Cathy talks about a few of her favorite books that she’s read this year, including Firekeeper’s Daughter and The Thursday Murder Club.
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What is the Best Seller’s Club and the Reader’s Advisory?
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Some of the fun and fabulous events and programming at the West Bloomfield Public Library.
Today’s Takeaway:
Talking about a well-loved book is not only fun, but it can also enhance our understanding of others who have differing perspectives. By reading and learning about other races, cultures, or philosophies, we put ourselves into the mindset and emotions of others who think and live differently than we do. Discussing a particularly thought-provoking book with others can introduce unfamiliar concepts that may be foreign to our experience but might ultimately foster a greater sense of unity and actually bring people together or inspire compromise. Instead of observing from a distance, perhaps we may learn the reasons behind their beliefs or actions. And at a time when we are so divided as a nation and as a society, that can only be a good thing! In addition, public libraries offer many free resources and the opportunity to participate in fun community events. If you haven’t visited your public library in a while, what are you waiting for? There’s no better gift right now than treating yourself to your new favorite book and taking some much-needed “me time” to pause, read and reflect! I’m Florine Mark and that’s “Today’s Takeaway.”
Quotes:
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“Book clubs can be organized in whatever way suits the book club. Some people have a book club, but it's really a wine club where they occasionally talk about books. Some people really want to get right into the book and only talk about the book. So I think the important thing is however the club is organized is that it meets the needs of its members.” — Cathy [5:16]
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“The key to the organization of book clubs is just to make sure everybody's on the same page, if you will, and that everybody understands what the purpose is.” — Cathy [5:55]
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“That's the beauty of book clubs because it’s not one size fits all. And it really can be tailored to what you want it to be.” — Cathy [8:11]
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“Some of the best book discussions come from when people don’t like the book.” — Cathy [8:40]
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“You have a different take on it than I do, and we can have a cool discussion just about that.” — Cathy [12:19]
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“Virtual book clubs grew in popularity, because it was a way for people to connect, and it was a way for people to talk about something other than the pandemic, and talk about stories and stay in touch and have discussions that weren't about politics necessarily, or about things that were dividing us, but things that were bringing us together.” — Cathy [13:04]
Brought to You By:
Mentioned in This Episode:
West Bloomfield Public Library
West Bloomfield Public Library Facebook
West Bloomfield Public Library Instagram