The Library is pleased to host a page for Book Night, a monthly event that is overseen by a committee external to the Library. Started in 1994, Book Night brings together readers and reviewers to deepen their appreciation of books and each other.

Consider this your open invitation to join us for Book Night on the third Wednesday of most non-summer months at 7:30 p.m. in the Social Room. Our next Book Night is September 18, when Fred Waltz will be presenting Jane Austen and the Almighty Pound by Joy Lee Davis (2005). On the schedule next are Dave Maschwitz on October 16, Sara Evans on November 20, and Dottie Waltz in January 2020.

Check out an archive of past Book Nights. If you’d like to be involved in reviewing at or planning future Book Nights, the tabs below will give you everything you need to get started!

• How to Plan Your Booknight
• Planning Toolkit
• Planning Partners

<

>

In the fall of 2017, an updated process of how Coffman plans and presents Book Nights came into being. Simply, we broadened the role of reviewer to also be the convener, offered ideas for ways to mix up the traditional one review approach, and added a new role of planning partner. Here’s how it works:

• A resident (or more than one) gets an idea for a book they want to review, a topic they want to explore, or a guest they want to  host.
• The resident(s) signs up to be convener for a specific month on the poster outside the lower entrance door to the Library. The convener(s) is completely responsible for the entire evening but may ask for as much help from others as they want. The more the merrier!
• The convenor might want to invite a planning partner into their process. Planning partners are those who’ve signed up to help out with the logistical aspects of the evening (publicity, room setup, etc.). A convenor may act as their own planning partner.
• The convenor(s)/planning partner access the Book Night Planning Toolkit, which will helps them cover all the logistical details and helps them clarify their structure for the evening. And the rest follows from there, adding up to an enjoyable evening.

The items below will help you in planning an unforgettable Book Night.

• Planning Information Form
  
• Room Setup Form
• Planning Partner List
  

The following individuals have volunteered to act as a planning partner for Book Night conveners:

• ​Mary Lynn Kittelson
• Elizabeth Shippee
• Dottie Waltz
• Katie Weiblen

If you have questions or comments about the Book Night planning process; if you have feedback on improving the Toolkit materials; or if you need further assistance in planning your Book Night, please contact Katie Weiblen (651.340.7049).