Setting up a book chain: Getting started

Who should organise and run the bookchain?

It really helps to have a specific person who takes on the roll of bookchain organiser. This person should be enthusiastic about developing reader-to-reader contacts in the library and offering keen readers added value through the membership of the bookchain.

The bookchain organiser must be someone who can give a two or three hours at the start and end of each bookchain to liaise with readers, colleagues and complete all the administration. He/she must be committed to the project and able to communicate effectively with colleagues and borrowers alike. The paperwork is not too onerous, but will be suited to someone with access to a pc and good organisational skills.

The bookchain organiser does not need to be a frontline member of staff. In some libraries, the bookchain organiser is a keen member of the reading group or an enthusiastic borrower. However, if the organiser is not a regular member of staff, they need to enlist the help of someone who works in the library, so that they can oversee the day-to-day running of the bookchain and be a point of contact for bookchain members and colleagues alike.

All frontline library staff must be kept informed and up-to-date about the bookchain and its members. Their commitment to and belief in a library-based project for readers like this is essential to its success. The attitude of frontline staff can make or break a bookchain.

^ top

Recruiting members

You need a small core of people to get a bookchain started in the library. For a first attempt 9 or 12 people is plenty – but less is OK too. You could actually run your first bookchain with a minimum of 3 people.

What's the best way to recruit readers to join a bookchain?

  • Word of mouth – chat up your pet borrowers (don’t forget reading group members, if you have them) and get them to recruit a friend too.
  • Put slips in books inviting people to join a bookchain.
  • Design a poster for the readers’ noticeboard.
  • Design some information leaflets – to hand/send out to keen borrowers or display in the library (by the counter, where staff can promote them or by the readers’ noticeboard).
  • Use your mailing list – if you have a list of people who come to library events they might be interested in joining a bookchain. Send them some information and an invitation to take part in this exciting new venture.
  • Hold an information session – morning, afternoon or evening, you decide on the best time depending on your target audience. Keep this fun – and light. Provide refreshments and play some reader-centred ice breakers. Focus on what people will get out of joining a bookchain rather than the nitty gritty of the organisation.
  • Approach keen library colleagues – a short staff pilot project is often the best way to start a bookchain.

^ top

What is the best way to contact interested readers?

Once you’ve got a list of potential bookchain members, send out a letter to give interested people full information about what they have to do to join the library bookchain. Make sure all the instructions are clear and straightforward and allow approximately four weeks between the date of the letter and the deadline for handing in the bookchain book at the library. You may find the sample letter helpful when you come to write your own.

Sample text: introductory letter

^ top

What else do I need to send with the introductory letter?

With this letter, enclose a copy of your reader comments sheet. This is where bookchain members will record their thoughts and feelings about their chosen book. Ensure that the sheet has 3 distinct spaces for readers to write their comments.

You might also want to include a Frequently asked questions sheet and some tips and sample comments for bookchain readers. These are particularly helpful for readers whose last experience of writing about books was the book review exercise at school.

Click on the links below or in the right-hand menu to download a template to make a reader comments sheet, to view FAQs, tips on writing about books or for some sample reader comments.

^ top

Sample bookchain FAQ leaflet

Here are some questions which readers have asked about bookchains. You might want to use or adapt this text to write an information leaflet to give to interested readers in your library. The questions and answers format seems to work well.

What is a bookchain?

A bookchain is made up of a group of people who enjoy reading and want to have a go at reading something different from the books they normally choose from the library shelves. With the help of the library staff they pass books (anonymously) around the group so that they each get the chance to read somebody else’s choice.

Where do I fit in?

The whole group is divided into smaller groups or chains of 3 people. Each of these chains is identified by a colour, for example: blue. Then each person or link within the chain is given a number, for example, Blue 2 (B2). This is your personal reader identification number.

What do I have to do to join?

First, let the bookchain organiser know that you would like to take part in the next bookchain and give them your contact details. The counter staff will tell you how to do this. Alternatively, you could pick up a bookchain registration form from the library, complete it and return it to the counter staff.

Can I do anything while I’m waiting?

Yes. Choose and read a library book and then jot down a few words to describe how the book made you feel – and what you got out of it. You will then be ready to join the next bookchain.

Help! What if I can’t write a book review?

You don’t need to write a book review. Think of it as a few helpful comments for the next reader. It should be personal and honest and written in a way in which you feel comfortable. Imagine you’re writing to or emailing a friend or talking about last night’s TV.

OK, what happens after that?

The bookchain organiser will contact you and send you all the things you need to know and do to get started. Once the bookchain is underway, you need to call at the library to pick up one of the books submitted by someone else in your chain. You do this by asking at the library counter. Read that book and write your comments on the sheet tucked in the book, then add your reader identification number and return both book and sheet to the library. Take another book and start again.

How long do I have to read the books?

Each bookchain will last about 10-12 weeks and during that time you will read 2 books other than your own choice.

How do I know when the chain starts and finishes?

The bookchain organiser will contact you with the start and finishing dates for each chain.

What do I do if I really don’t like one of the books in my chain?

If you really can’t get into one of the books in your chain, say why on the comments sheet. You don’t have to battle on with something you really don’t like. Bring the book back and try another one. This might be the read you’ve always been looking for.

Do I get chance to see what other people in other chains have been reading and what they think about their books? Yes! At the end of each chain, the comments will be displayed on a noticeboard in the library.

Do I get to meet other readers in the chain?

The attraction of the bookchain for many people is that it’s anonymous and allows people to join in without committing themselves to a reading group. However, if people want to meet up, we can organise a social gathering where we can chat about the books we read and swap opinions.

What are the contact details of the Bookchain organiser?

[Add name and contact details]

^ top

A template for a bookchain reader comments sheet

These templates can be downloaded and personalised for use with your bookchain in your library. Click here to download.

The templates can be printed or photocopied (double sided) on to A4 paper and folded into 3 equal piece to create a reader comments sheet. Please check the margins and column breaks are correct before you print.

  • The folded comments sheet will fit neatly into a paperback book. The dimensions are: height 210 mm and width 100 mm (approx).
  • The sheet has 6 equal sections
  • Customise the appropriate section with the name of your library bookchain.
  • Customise the appropriate section with the contact details for your library and bookchain organiser.
  • The Notes page can be used by the bookchain organiser, a member of library staff or bookchain readers.
  • Photocopy onto coloured paper – this makes the comments sheet visible and can help if the sheet becomes separated from the book.

^ top

Tips for writing about books

  • Limit yourself to 50-100 words.
  • Don’t re-tell the story or summerise the plot. Use just one phrase or sentence to introduce the book or describe the setting.
  • Be personal rather than academic (concentrate on what the book made you feel and think).
  • Aim to say 3 interesting things about the book to give other readers a real flavour of the reading experience.
  • Write in a language which is light and informal – use colloquialisms rather than specialist vocabulary. Imagine that you are writing a letter or email to a friend – or talking about last night’s TV - that’s a good tone to aim for.
  • Give tips on how to get into the book. If the first few chapters are tough going – say so. But think what else can you say to encourage a reader to continue.

^ top

Sample bookchain reader comments

Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant

If you’re a sucker for historical novels and you love art and Renaissance Italy, then this book will be a real treat. At times I almost felt I inhabited the story, I was so wrapped up in the emotions and ambitions of all concerned. I felt close enough to experience the richness and colour of the fabrics as well as the danger and squalour of the streets first hand.

Moreta – Dragonlady of Pern by Anne McCaffrey

Oh no – books with dragons on the cover send me running in the opposite direction. I did try hard with the unfamiliar names, places and weird events but it just didn’t do it for me. My friend would like to live in Pern (and possibly fancies herself as Moreta). She thinks cats, dogs and budgies are a very poor substitute for dragons, but I would rather get my reading kicks from a more recognisable setting.

Between Friends by Kathleen Rowntree

I suppose this book was quite pleasant and certainly easy to read, but I’m afraid it irritated me. If my husband had an affair with my best friend, I think I would have been plotting a nasty revenge, not working hard to keep both!

The Kite Runner by Khalid Hosseini

I just can’t get this book out of my head. The scenes, especially in Afghanistan, are so vivid and haunting. I’ve never read a book where, as a woman, I felt so much conflicting emotion for the male characters – and this is the first time I have read a description of a fight scene where I was willing one person to kill the other. I want to see the film, but I’m not sure I can face such an emotional journey a second time round.

God’s Spy by Juan Gomez-Jurado

OK so this is another offspring of 'The Da Vinci Code' and 'Silence of the Lambs' but it's also the work of a prize-winning journalist, has a realistic and appealing heroine, is a genuine page-turner and has a truly magnificent surprise ending. Not convinced by the criminal profiling – that let the book down for me, but there’s no doubt it will make a great film.

^ top