How to Start a Workplace Book Club
Here are 10 actionable tips to ensure your book club runs smoothly.
1. Assign a point person.
The first step is to assign a point person who will ensure that the book club happens every month—and that it runs smoothly.
2. Choose a location—and book it.
Identify a space that you can use every month. It should be large enough to accommodate the majority of your employees. Some companies hold the book club in their kitchen and it lasts one hour. Your point person should book it on a recurring basis so it’s available on the same day and same time every month.
3. Communicate out.
Find a way to tell everyone in your company that you now have a workplace book club. You might use email or a tool like Workplace by Facebook. Many of our corporate clients have a Slack channel named after the book club. They also use this channel to suggest books, vote on books, assign hosts, etc. Also, consider hanging posters in strategic locations such as break rooms.
Tip: Inform new hires of your employee book club as part of your onboarding plan.
Tip: Inform new hires of your employee book club as part of your onboarding plan.
4. Choose your book.
At the start of each month, your point person should send an all-company communication (on your chosen channel) asking employees to suggest book titles. To start, have executives suggest books that are in line with your business goals. This will set the tone for everyone else. With options to choose from, employees vote via a simple Slack, Google, or SurveyMonkey poll.
5. Assign a host.
Often, the person who suggested the chosen book hosts the book club that month. However, anyone can step up to host. Some of our corporate clients assign three members from their executive team to host the first three book clubs (they were the same people who suggested the first three books). This process is modeling the behavior you wish to see and setting a good example.
6. Order books.
The host should encourage employees to RSVP yes or no to the calendar invite right after the book is chosen so you know how many books to order. Give employees two days to RSVP then have your point person order books based on the number of people who plan to attend. When the books arrive, place them in a central location and invite people to pick up their copy. Our corporate clients have remote employees who attend virtually; they purchase their own books and put in for reimbursement.
7. Plan technology.
For the remote employees, make sure you plan your meeting technology ahead of time. Some companies use a IT Support Specialist to help set up the room on the day of the book club; many use Zoom and Meeting Owl to stream the meeting and help their remote workers feel included.
8. Prepare discussion points.
The host is in charge of preparing discussion points. There are plenty to be found online with a simple search, but hosts are free to come up with their own ideas. The point person should check in with the host two days before the book club to ensure the discussion points are ready.
9. Buy snacks.
On the day of the book club, the point person purchases snacks and beverages. In addition to the typical “party fare,” make sure you have plenty of alcohol-free beverages as well as vegan and gluten-free options so everyone has something to eat and drink.
10. Hold the book club.
With the discussion points ready, the technology set up, and the snacks purchased, the book club should run smoothly. The host invites participants to share ideas, without forcing participation. If someone only chooses to sit and listen, that’s fine. If one person routinely dominates the discussion, don’t be afraid to thank them and shift to other members for discussion. This allows others the opportunity to participate. Good moderation is important to make everyone feel comfortable.
