by Anthony DeMatteo
Staff Writer
Earlier this month, the Main Library started a club called Book Bunches to help get more people reading.
From a boxy, orange display behind the first-floor reference desk, those armed with library cards can check out 10 books, CDs, book reviews and information on how to start a book club – all in one black and blue book bag.
Stacie Bucher, public relations director for the library, said the program is made possible with help from The Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library, a support group that raises money for the library.
“This is a one-stop program,” said Bucher. “You have everything you need for a book club in this one book bag. Then you just bring the whole thing back.”
She said after the program’s first week, three of six book bags had been checked out. The book bags are armed with the same bar code on each item available for checking out.
“Our hope is that book clubs will use it and people will start book clubs from using the service,” said Bucher.
She added that she hopes the book bags will encourage residents to take a general interest in books.
“It just gets people reading,” she said. “We hope they’ll come back and check stuff out.”
The book bags are already part of the library’s catalog.
“This is going to be an ongoing service,” said Bucher. “We hope it will attract people for a long time.”