By Laura Drinan
Hometown Weekly Reporter
When she arrived as the Medfield Public Library’s new director in February, Meena Jain brought a handful of new ideas and suggestions with her.
Already during her short time in Medfield, she has worked with Medfield Public Schools to bring children’s author Kwame Alexander to town, invited a guest speaker to discuss her time on “The Great American Baking Show,” and hosted a Harry Potter craft and trivia night for adults.
While Meena has already brought so much to Medfield, she and the librarians have recently introduced a handful of new book clubs for the community to join. The clubs, open to all, revolve around five different themes: biography/memoir, current fiction, romance, and cookbook. The library is also offering a book group for young people called the “20/30 Something Book Club.”
“When I first started in Medfield, there was a perception that people wouldn't come to the library for book clubs because they had their own in their neighborhoods and with friends,” said Meena.
“But, I think that a library book club is special because it’s facilitated by a librarian! This means that there is some structure to the group in that every voice gets heard and every opinion matters. And, although this is an opportunity for like-minded folks to connect, we talk about the book!”
The clubs’ books are available to borrow at the library, and the librarians try to make sure that the books are accessible on Overdrive to be downloaded onto devices and are available in large print and audio formats, as well.
“I want to engage our patrons in books that they may love or hate, but will have an outlet to discuss those feelings,” Meena said. “I hope that the participants of the various book clubs will become friends with each other - reading can be fun but isolating. Having a shared experience brings people together!”
Meena also hopes that establishing some new book clubs will assure the community that the library offers fun and interesting programs.
“Book clubs are just one way to reach into the community and meet their literacy and social needs,” she said.
Registration is not required for the book clubs, either. Those interested should simply read the book and show up to the meeting. The dates and times for each book club meeting are posted on the library’s event calendar on their website, www.medfieldpubliclibrary.org.
