Sign up for ABC’s of reading groups: authors, books and clubs now! Go here.

We just got word that Alice Larkin will be one of the authors at The A, B, C’s of Reading Groups: Authors, Books and Clubs event on October 30! More later, meanwhile check out her Web page.

SAVE THE DATE! OCTOBER 30, 2008 from 9:00 AM-1:00 PM at the Parsippany-Troy Hills Free Public Library . The A, B, C’s of Reading Groups: Authors, Books and Clubs. A workshop for librarians who lead reading groups or who work with community based reading groups. The workshop will include a presentation on Problems, Perils and Pitfalls of Reading Groups, an Author-Go-Round and an autographing session. Registration fee is $20.00 for NJLA Members; $25.00 for non-members.

CELEBRATE NATIONAL READING GROUP MONTH OCTOBER 2008 CONTEST

Between now and October 31, submit the title, date, time and brief description of programs that you are holding in your library to celebrate this special month. These programs can be as simple as your regular monthly reading group, a special author visit or one of the many programs outlined in the National Reading Group Month Manual. The more programs you offer; the more opportunities for winning! The random drawing will be held on November 1, 2008. The winner will be notified by November 7, 2008.

More prizes will be given out to the Best of the Best National Reading Month programs that are held in libraries throughout the state. To be eligible for this second tier of the contest, submit any publicity pieces that you used or will be using to market your program or programs such as a screen shot, flyer, press release, PSA, or photos from the event. Again, the more programs you offer; the more opportunities you have to win! Winning programs will be listed in a new section, The Best of the Best National Reading Group Month Programs, that will be added to the National Reading Group Manual. The revised and up-dated manual will be distributed at next year’s NJLA Conference. Members of the NJLA NRGM Committee will evaluate all submissions. All decisions are final. Winners will be announced in January 2009.

Please submit all your entries by e-mail to:
njla_nrgm@yahoo.com

(Please use the underscore in the email-njla_nrgm) or send them to April Judge, Director, West Caldwell Public Library, 30 Clinton Road, West Caldwell, NJ 07006.

Welcome! The New Jersey Library Association and the New Jersey State Library are thrilled to support National Reading Group Month. We’ll be posting news about a huge event we are planning on October 30 called, The A, B,C’s of REading Groups: Authors, Books and Clubs.

We’ll also be inviting you to share tips and advice about what makes a successful book group that you’ve learned along the way. Add our RSS or visit us often!

- NJSL National Reading Group Month Committee
April Judge, Chair