Hello All, For those who run Cookbook Clubs at their libraries- how do you structure it? Do you have everyone sign up for what recipes they are going to make? Do you check out copies of the actual cook book or just make photo copies of the recipes? When you meet up, do you just talk about the recipes? Do you offer information and discussion based on the theme of the cookbook? Any feedback on how you organize this type of book club would be most helpful! Anna Merritt Assistant Director Richland Community Library 8951 Park Street Richland, MI 49083 (269) 629-9085 https://www.richlandlibrary.org/ -- This message has been scanned by E.F.A. Project and is believed to be clean.
Anna (and all), We started one in Fall 2019, which only met a few times before the pandemic killed it. It was really popular, though, and a lot of fun! I made the book a reference item for a month or so before the meeting, and then people would photocopy the recipes and leave a bookmark in the ones they’d chosen to make. Then everyone would show up with their dishes, we’d serve and sit down to eat. People would start off talking about their chosen recipes, what worked and what didn’t, and then conversation flowed really naturally from there. It drew a wide spectrum of patrons of all ages, and was pretty low-key and easy on our end. I cooked for each session because I enjoy cooking, but really all we had to do was put out plates & cutlery and the patrons took it from there. Now that you mention it, maybe it’s time we bring ours back 😊 Meredith --- Meredith Sommers Library manager Bayliss Public Library Sault Ste. Marie, MI From: Michlib-l <michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org> On Behalf Of Anna Merritt via Michlib-l Sent: Friday, October 6, 2023 10:38 AM To: Michigan Libraries List Serve <michlib-l@mcls.org> Subject: [Michlib-l] Cookbook Clubs Hello All, For those who run Cookbook Clubs at their libraries- how do you structure it? Do you have everyone sign up for what recipes they are going to make? Do you check out copies of the actual cook book or just make photo copies of the recipes? When you meet up, do you just talk about the recipes? Do you offer information and discussion based on the theme of the cookbook? Any feedback on how you organize this type of book club would be most helpful! Anna Merritt Assistant Director Richland Community Library 8951 Park Street Richland, MI 49083 (269) 629-9085 https://www.richlandlibrary.org/ -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by E.F.A. Project<http://www.efa-project.org>, and is believed to be clean.
I'm really intrigued by this! Would everyone just make the normal sized recipe (serves 4-6 or whatever). Amy Nolan Children's Librarian Lincoln Township Public Library 2099 W. John Beers Rd., Stevensville, MI 49127 (269) 429-9575 ext. 119 ________________________________ From: Michlib-l <michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org> on behalf of Meredith Sommers via Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org> Sent: Friday, October 6, 2023 10:49 AM To: Anna Merritt <amerritt@richlandlibrary.org>; Michigan Libraries List Serve <michlib-l@mcls.org> Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] Cookbook Clubs Anna (and all), We started one in Fall 2019, which only met a few times before the pandemic killed it. It was really popular, though, and a lot of fun! I made the book a reference item for a month or so before the meeting, and then people would photocopy the recipes and leave a bookmark in the ones they’d chosen to make. Then everyone would show up with their dishes, we’d serve and sit down to eat. People would start off talking about their chosen recipes, what worked and what didn’t, and then conversation flowed really naturally from there. It drew a wide spectrum of patrons of all ages, and was pretty low-key and easy on our end. I cooked for each session because I enjoy cooking, but really all we had to do was put out plates & cutlery and the patrons took it from there. Now that you mention it, maybe it’s time we bring ours back 😊 Meredith --- Meredith Sommers Library manager Bayliss Public Library Sault Ste. Marie, MI From: Michlib-l <michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org> On Behalf Of Anna Merritt via Michlib-l Sent: Friday, October 6, 2023 10:38 AM To: Michigan Libraries List Serve <michlib-l@mcls.org> Subject: [Michlib-l] Cookbook Clubs Hello All, For those who run Cookbook Clubs at their libraries- how do you structure it? Do you have everyone sign up for what recipes they are going to make? Do you check out copies of the actual cook book or just make photo copies of the recipes? When you meet up, do you just talk about the recipes? Do you offer information and discussion based on the theme of the cookbook? Any feedback on how you organize this type of book club would be most helpful! Anna Merritt Assistant Director Richland Community Library 8951 Park Street Richland, MI 49083 (269) 629-9085 https://www.richlandlibrary.org/ -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by E.F.A. Project<http://www.efa-project.org>, and is believed to be clean.
I think they did – with everyone bringing something (and most people bringing more than one dish, because cooks are going to cook), people took portions that were more sample-sized than full servings. Meredith From: Amy Nolan <anolan@lincolnlib.org> Sent: Friday, October 6, 2023 11:05 AM To: Anna Merritt <amerritt@richlandlibrary.org>; Michigan Libraries List Serve <michlib-l@mcls.org>; Meredith Sommers <msommers@superiordistrictlibrary.org> Subject: Re: Cookbook Clubs I'm really intrigued by this! Would everyone just make the normal sized recipe (serves 4-6 or whatever). Amy Nolan Children's Librarian Lincoln Township Public Library 2099 W. John Beers Rd., Stevensville, MI 49127 (269) 429-9575 ext. 119 ________________________________ From: Michlib-l <michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org<mailto:michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org>> on behalf of Meredith Sommers via Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org<mailto:michlib-l@mcls.org>> Sent: Friday, October 6, 2023 10:49 AM To: Anna Merritt <amerritt@richlandlibrary.org<mailto:amerritt@richlandlibrary.org>>; Michigan Libraries List Serve <michlib-l@mcls.org<mailto:michlib-l@mcls.org>> Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] Cookbook Clubs Anna (and all), We started one in Fall 2019, which only met a few times before the pandemic killed it. It was really popular, though, and a lot of fun! I made the book a reference item for a month or so before the meeting, and then people would photocopy the recipes and leave a bookmark in the ones they’d chosen to make. Then everyone would show up with their dishes, we’d serve and sit down to eat. People would start off talking about their chosen recipes, what worked and what didn’t, and then conversation flowed really naturally from there. It drew a wide spectrum of patrons of all ages, and was pretty low-key and easy on our end. I cooked for each session because I enjoy cooking, but really all we had to do was put out plates & cutlery and the patrons took it from there. Now that you mention it, maybe it’s time we bring ours back 😊 Meredith --- Meredith Sommers Library manager Bayliss Public Library Sault Ste. Marie, MI From: Michlib-l <michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org<mailto:michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org>> On Behalf Of Anna Merritt via Michlib-l Sent: Friday, October 6, 2023 10:38 AM To: Michigan Libraries List Serve <michlib-l@mcls.org<mailto:michlib-l@mcls.org>> Subject: [Michlib-l] Cookbook Clubs Hello All, For those who run Cookbook Clubs at their libraries- how do you structure it? Do you have everyone sign up for what recipes they are going to make? Do you check out copies of the actual cook book or just make photo copies of the recipes? When you meet up, do you just talk about the recipes? Do you offer information and discussion based on the theme of the cookbook? Any feedback on how you organize this type of book club would be most helpful! Anna Merritt Assistant Director Richland Community Library 8951 Park Street Richland, MI 49083 (269) 629-9085 https://www.richlandlibrary.org/ -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by E.F.A. Project<http://www.efa-project.org>, and is believed to be clean.
I think the best part of Meredith’s program was the way people would open up around the table over food and you heard family stories around the recipes. My favorite one was when we did the Moroccan cookbook. I remember one gentleman who made a sort of cassoulet and brought it in a traditional Moroccan stone/clay cooking vessel, and there was a story around that. And another person talked about how they grew some of the items in there dish in their own garden, and it evolved into growing herbs and vegetables. Lisa Lisa Waskin, District Director Superior District Library 541 Library Drive Sault Sainte Marie, MI 49783 Ph. (906) 632-9331 lwaskin@superiordistrictlibrary.org<mailto:lwaskin@superiordistrictlibrary.org> From: Michlib-l <michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org> On Behalf Of Amy Nolan via Michlib-l Sent: Friday, October 6, 2023 11:05 AM To: Anna Merritt <amerritt@richlandlibrary.org>; Michigan Libraries List Serve <michlib-l@mcls.org>; Meredith Sommers <msommers@superiordistrictlibrary.org> Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] Cookbook Clubs I'm really intrigued by this! Would everyone just make the normal sized recipe (serves 4-6 or whatever). Amy Nolan Children's Librarian Lincoln Township Public Library 2099 W. John Beers Rd., Stevensville, MI 49127 (269) 429-9575 ext. 119 ________________________________ From: Michlib-l <michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org<mailto:michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org>> on behalf of Meredith Sommers via Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org<mailto:michlib-l@mcls.org>> Sent: Friday, October 6, 2023 10:49 AM To: Anna Merritt <amerritt@richlandlibrary.org<mailto:amerritt@richlandlibrary.org>>; Michigan Libraries List Serve <michlib-l@mcls.org<mailto:michlib-l@mcls.org>> Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] Cookbook Clubs Anna (and all), We started one in Fall 2019, which only met a few times before the pandemic killed it. It was really popular, though, and a lot of fun! I made the book a reference item for a month or so before the meeting, and then people would photocopy the recipes and leave a bookmark in the ones they’d chosen to make. Then everyone would show up with their dishes, we’d serve and sit down to eat. People would start off talking about their chosen recipes, what worked and what didn’t, and then conversation flowed really naturally from there. It drew a wide spectrum of patrons of all ages, and was pretty low-key and easy on our end. I cooked for each session because I enjoy cooking, but really all we had to do was put out plates & cutlery and the patrons took it from there. Now that you mention it, maybe it’s time we bring ours back 😊 Meredith --- Meredith Sommers Library manager Bayliss Public Library Sault Ste. Marie, MI From: Michlib-l <michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org<mailto:michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org>> On Behalf Of Anna Merritt via Michlib-l Sent: Friday, October 6, 2023 10:38 AM To: Michigan Libraries List Serve <michlib-l@mcls.org<mailto:michlib-l@mcls.org>> Subject: [Michlib-l] Cookbook Clubs Hello All, For those who run Cookbook Clubs at their libraries- how do you structure it? Do you have everyone sign up for what recipes they are going to make? Do you check out copies of the actual cook book or just make photo copies of the recipes? When you meet up, do you just talk about the recipes? Do you offer information and discussion based on the theme of the cookbook? Any feedback on how you organize this type of book club would be most helpful! Anna Merritt Assistant Director Richland Community Library 8951 Park Street Richland, MI 49083 (269) 629-9085 https://www.richlandlibrary.org/ -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by E.F.A. Project<http://www.efa-project.org>, and is believed to be clean.
My group did just make the recipe as printed, no doubling or halves. I tried to steer clear of potluck & casserole cookbooks for the group. Usually people were happy to share leftovers for anyone that wanted an extra serving to go home. I made sure to always have extra plates, bowls & foil to account for this. On Fri, Oct 6, 2023, 11:08 AM Amy Nolan via Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org> wrote:
I'm really intrigued by this! Would everyone just make the normal sized recipe (serves 4-6 or whatever).
*Amy Nolan *
*Children's Librarian Lincoln Township Public Library 2099 W. John Beers Rd., Stevensville, MI 49127 (269) 429-9575 ext. 119*
------------------------------ *From:* Michlib-l <michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org> on behalf of Meredith Sommers via Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org> *Sent:* Friday, October 6, 2023 10:49 AM *To:* Anna Merritt <amerritt@richlandlibrary.org>; Michigan Libraries List Serve <michlib-l@mcls.org> *Subject:* Re: [Michlib-l] Cookbook Clubs
Anna (and all),
We started one in Fall 2019, which only met a few times before the pandemic killed it. It was really popular, though, and a lot of fun!
I made the book a reference item for a month or so before the meeting, and then people would photocopy the recipes and leave a bookmark in the ones they’d chosen to make. Then everyone would show up with their dishes, we’d serve and sit down to eat. People would start off talking about their chosen recipes, what worked and what didn’t, and then conversation flowed really naturally from there. It drew a wide spectrum of patrons of all ages, and was pretty low-key and easy on our end. I cooked for each session because I enjoy cooking, but really all we had to do was put out plates & cutlery and the patrons took it from there.
Now that you mention it, maybe it’s time we bring ours back 😊
Meredith
*---*
*Meredith Sommers* Library manager
Bayliss Public Library
Sault Ste. Marie, MI
*From:* Michlib-l <michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org> *On Behalf Of *Anna Merritt via Michlib-l *Sent:* Friday, October 6, 2023 10:38 AM *To:* Michigan Libraries List Serve <michlib-l@mcls.org> *Subject:* [Michlib-l] Cookbook Clubs
Hello All,
For those who run Cookbook Clubs at their libraries- how do you structure it?
Do you have everyone sign up for what recipes they are going to make?
Do you check out copies of the actual cook book or just make photo copies of the recipes?
When you meet up, do you just talk about the recipes? Do you offer information and discussion based on the theme of the cookbook?
Any feedback on how you organize this type of book club would be most helpful!
*Anna Merritt*
Assistant Director
Richland Community Library
8951 Park Street
Richland, MI 49083
(269) 629-9085
https://www.richlandlibrary.org/
-- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by *E.F.A. Project* <http://www.efa-project.org>, and is believed to be clean. _______________________________________________ Michlib-l mailing list Michlib-l@mcls.org https://mail3.mcls.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l
I organized and ran a cookbook club back in 2017 (maybe). I usually picked a theme for the month and would find 1 to 3 cookbooks that related to the theme. I did place holds on multiple copies in the system and had books available for folks to checkout & take home, but always kept at least one copy of each book at the reference desk for photo copying in case everything was checked out. The patrons loved it. We'd get together for our potluck meeting, discuss recipes, challenges, ingredients, their overall impression of the book, etc. The conversation was always lively and moved along in a very casual and organic way. I did always go to group with a few questions or talking points if we hit a lull. Some of the themes we covered were fad diets, American standard cookbooks (Betty Crocker, Joy of Cooking and the like), newly published, we covered a few specific cuisines, but one of my favorites was celebrity cookbook showdown. I choose 2 popular celebrity cookbooks at the time and as a group we evaluated and rated the recipes/books. On Fri, Oct 6, 2023, 10:43 AM Anna Merritt via Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org> wrote:
Hello All,
For those who run Cookbook Clubs at their libraries- how do you structure it?
Do you have everyone sign up for what recipes they are going to make?
Do you check out copies of the actual cook book or just make photo copies of the recipes?
When you meet up, do you just talk about the recipes? Do you offer information and discussion based on the theme of the cookbook?
Any feedback on how you organize this type of book club would be most helpful!
*Anna Merritt*
Assistant Director
Richland Community Library
8951 Park Street
Richland, MI 49083
(269) 629-9085
https://www.richlandlibrary.org/
-- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by *E.F.A. Project* <http://www.efa-project.org>, and is believed to be clean. _______________________________________________ Michlib-l mailing list Michlib-l@mcls.org https://mail3.mcls.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l
We’ve run a Cookbook Book Group for several decades. Ours is called Tasty Reads. It’s very popular! Tasty Reads runs from Sept – May and we meet monthly at noon. Our meetings take at least 90 minutes, as the food bit adds time to the discussion. The library provides the room, tables, plates, silverware etc. We ask folks to bring in their own – as it cuts down on waste, but many just rely on our supplies. We choose our books over the summer and put the list out early so that folks have lots of time to get copies. We always try to have several copies of the books available in our collection, especially if it’s a title that doesn’t have many copies in our resource sharing libraries. We maintain an email listing for this book group and about a week leading up to the meeting most folks will send an email with what they are planning to make. It’s not 100% as several members NEVER email about what they are bringing…lol. But, it does help to keep duplicates to a minimum. Our book group discusses cookbooks, memoirs, fiction about cooking/restaurants/chefs, etc. It’s nice to have some variety, and our best discussions have been around memoirs and fiction! If it’s a book without many recipes we encourage folks to bring in items that are inspired by the book. Timeline: Attendees bring in their food and set it up in our meeting room. We go around the table and everyone describes what they brought to eat (quickly). Then everyone fills their plates and we then take turns talking about what we liked, didn’t like etc from the book. We’ve tried to ask folks to bring in copies of their recipes, but that’s not always successful. 😊 There is often an email or two after the meeting where folks send out their recipes. I always try to find additional information about the author, chef, etc to put out to the group early. Some books have more additional information than others, but for the most part this information just adds to the discussion we have. I encourage you to give this type of program a shot. It’s really fun, and for those of us who are foodies by nature, it’s not much work! The trickiest bit for me is planning food that can sit at work with me for several hours prior to our meeting. The Instant Pot has been a real lifesaver in that regard! If you have any questions, just let me know. Andrea From: Michlib-l <michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org> On Behalf Of Anna Merritt via Michlib-l Sent: Friday, October 06, 2023 10:38 AM To: Michigan Libraries List Serve <michlib-l@mcls.org> Subject: [Michlib-l] Cookbook Clubs Hello All, For those who run Cookbook Clubs at their libraries- how do you structure it? Do you have everyone sign up for what recipes they are going to make? Do you check out copies of the actual cook book or just make photo copies of the recipes? When you meet up, do you just talk about the recipes? Do you offer information and discussion based on the theme of the cookbook? Any feedback on how you organize this type of book club would be most helpful! Anna Merritt Assistant Director Richland Community Library 8951 Park Street Richland, MI 49083 (269) 629-9085 https://www.richlandlibrary.org/ -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by E.F.A. Project<http://www.efa-project.org>, and is believed to be clean.
participants (6)
-
Amy Nolan -
Andrea Ingmire -
Anna Merritt -
Lisa Waskin -
Meredith Sommers -
Sarah Scherdt