Purpose

St. Bede's Book Club was created to provide a forum for persons to read and discuss books together.

Many of the participants are involved in the life and work of the church, but books will not be limited to any one subject area like religion and neither is church or religious interest a requirement. All are welcome here. Books will be chosen based on the interests of the members of the Club.

It is our hope that we will not only benefit from reading a wide variety of books but gain much in knowledge and fellowship as we discuss them together.

Some basic guidelines for participation.

1. We will brainstorm a list of books we would like to read -- fiction/nonfiction, short stories, whatever, no topic is off topic

 
2. We will choose each book from the list by vote. Anyone can add to the list. We will begin with a Master List of Books from which to choose. This will be created by the members.

 
3. We will stay at least six months ahead. In other words, when the Master List is first complete, the members will vote on their favorite six books. The book that gets the most votes will be #1, the second most votes #2, etc.

 
4. Members will be responsible for arranging to get their own copy of each book. If we can make arrangments later with a book dealer to get them for a discount, we will do so.

 
5. We will read the book of the month and discuss it over that month with a different person being the moderator or leader of each discussion. If you would like to volunteer to lead the discussion on a given book, please do so. We want to share this responsibility so that it does not always fall on one person.

 
6. We will discuss it through an email forum much like we use for the St. Bedes list. There is a possibility later of developing a live chat format. Charles Smith has graciously volunteered to set up a list for us much like that of St Bedes.

 
7. Charles will host and Barbara will create and maintain a website for the basic materials, Master Book List, etc.

 
8. The e-mail forum will be moderated by the St. Bedes Librarians. They are right now: Lynne Callahan, Tony Hitsman, Barbara Laufersweiler, & Bass Mitchell. It would be good to have at least one more.

 
9. Freedom of expression and discussion are greatly valued and will be promoted. So we will respect different views and never flame one another. We will not hesitate to unsubscribe persons who clearly have no regard for the feelings of others or who wish to use this forum for something beyond its purpose as stated above.

January 29, 2001