Today's DAR
What is the DAR Library Book Club, and how was it created? As Librarian General, I am going to share the history of this group. As a member of the Pennsylvania State Society, I became a member of the first Pennsylvania Book Club. It was begun by the 2013-2016 State Librarian Gretchen Gailey. She chose the book, announced its title at Fall Meeting, and held a discussion at State Conference. The Book Club served as a fund-raising event for the DAR Library. The 2016-2019 State Librarian Margaret Everly continued with this program but added interviews with the authors at the yearly meeting. The Book Club was truly a well-attended, enjoyable, and productive event.
Are You a Bookworm? Join the DAR Library Book Club!
With a desire to encourage this idea on the National level and perhaps to other states, the idea was presented to the National Executive Committee and approved. The DAR Library Book Club was created to read nonfiction books within a time frame from the Colonial through Federalist periods. The Book Club events were to be held each year during the week of Continental Congress.
The Book Club was virtual in 2020 due to the pandemic, so two separate zoom meetings with the Book Club book authors: Stephen Fried, author of Rush: Revolution, Madness, and Benjamin Rush, the Visionary Doctor Who Became a Founding Father, and Catherine Kerrison, author of Jefferson’s Daughters: Three Sisters, White and Black in a Young America. The reaction by those who watched the interviews was very positive. The DAR Library Book Club was a success and would continue.
For the DAR Library Book Club’s second year, members wanted more than just an annual Book Club event and requested more interviews throughout the year. This was an inspiring reaction and plans had to be made.
To aid in communication with the members, the DAR Library Book Club Facebook page was created. The members added so much information to this page: opinions on the information gained by reading the books were shared, other books and authors were recommended, and power point programs and questions for discussions on the books were posted
The 2021-2022 Book Club List:
- America’s Hidden History: Untold Tales of the First Pilgrims, Fighting Women and Forgotten Founders Who Shaped a Nation By Kenneth C. Davis
- The Indian World of George Washington by Colin G. Calloway
- The British are Coming by Rick Atkinson
Upcoming Book Club Interviews:
- February 28, 2022: Defiant Brides: The Untold Story of Two Revolutionary-Era Women and the Radical Men They Married by Nancy Rubin Stuart
- April 12, 2022: Spies, Patriots and Traitors: American Intelligence in the Revolutionary War by Kenneth A. Daigler
- Continental Congress Book Club Event: The Cabinet by Lindsay M. Chervinsky
The zoom link for the February and April interviews will be available on the Book Club Facebook page and from your State Librarian a week before each event. The Continental Congress event will be listed on the Continental Congress schedule. All past interviews can be found on the Librarian General’s webpage on the DAR Members’ Website. Appreciation is extended to Lynne Evans, National Vice Chair, Webmaster, VIS Committee for her skills in posting all the interviews; to Colleen Hogan, the personal tech page for all her assistance with the interviews; and to all the State Librarians for their endeavors.
The most exciting reactions to the DAR Library Book Club are the creation of chapter and State Book Clubs, the reading of great books, and the support of the DAR Library. Together by reading these books, we have learned more about our great nation, its growth, those who made it possible in so many different ways and the problems and triumphs of each. DAR members make a difference in the success of any endeavor; they have made the DAR Library Book Club a wonderful success. Please join us for the next event on February 28th with Nancy Rubin Stuart.
Rise and Shine for America! Afterwards, relax with a good book!
