Book club programs in United States academic libraries: A survey

In the United States, book clubs are typically associated with the work of public or school librarians, due to their focus on extracurricular programs and recreational reading. However, published case studies and institutional websites indicate that book club programs are also taking place in academic libraries, though there is a lack of broad research investigating this topic further. This paper reports on a summer 2024 survey of US academic library workers who have facilitated book club programming. This study's purposes were to determine the prevalence of book club programming in academic libraries and to identify successes, challenges, and trends in hosting these programs in academic contexts. The results of the survey provide insight into institutional trends, as well as possible benefits of book club programming in academic libraries, such as enhanced collaboration across campus, increased student retention, and a focus on diversity and inclusivity, and challenges, such as funding, staffing, and attendance. The survey results help to identify best practices for hosting engaging and accessible book club programs for various audiences in the academic library.