1	Tips for Conducting Online Book Discussions Online Discussion held on Sept. 14, 2006 in the OPAL Auditorium facilitated by Tom Peters, OPAL Coordinator
2	In-Person vs. Online Discussions Able to draw from a larger population spread across a larger geographic area No need to clean up and dress up No need to drive, take a bus, walk, etc. No opportunities for non-verbal communication You can be whoever you want to be Combo discussions (in-person and online)! Bring your own snacks!
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4	Decisions, Decisions Single book, genre discussion, several books by same author, or read-alikes? Fiction or non-fiction? Front-list, back-list, or classic? One-Shot discussion, or a discussion series? “Man’s” book or a “woman’s” book?
5	How Is The Book Available? How many copies in your local library? Hardback Paperback E-Book (in various file formats) Audio Book (Audible.com, OverDrive, NetLibrary, etc.) NLS audio book and/or Braille
6	Who to Invite? Everyone! People who are interested in the book Students Teachers and professors Blind/low vision readers “Experts”: English professors, critics, etc. Should you invite the author?
7	How to Announce? Email discussion groups Website Blogs Posters Bookmarks Individual invitations (paper, email, phone) Word of mouth
8	Who Is Likely to Attend? Just about anybody! If a discussion series, you may develop a core group of participants Some will have finished the book, some will be reading it, and some will not have read it—yet Experts and the author may show up
9	How Should the Facilitator Prepare? Read the book and take notes (characters, themes, setting, style—anything that interests you) Book reviews Reader comments at Amazon.com Literary criticism Author websites and blogs General Google search Prepare a set of discussion questions Prepare a PowerPoint presentation Co-browse to pertinent websites
10	Facilitation Tips Begin by talking about the author Share some fun facts about the publication of the book Characters Themes Favorite scenes or episodes Ask questions Encourage people to share their impressions Record the discussion?
11	After the Discussion Thank everyone for participating Upload and archive the recording Podcast the audio recording of the discussion Think about what worked and what didn’t Plan for the next online book discussion!
12	Final Thoughts Relax Have fun Read at whim Focus on the book and the discussion group, not on the technology
13	Contact Info Tom Peters CEO, TAP Information Services Email: tpeters@tapinformation.com Web: www.tapinformation.com Phone: 816.228.6406