Idaho Commission for Libraries

The Let's Talk About It model calls for discussion following the scholar's presentation. Find out why having a discussion facilitator is important, how to encourage small group discussion, where to find discussion facilitators, and get some tips for discussion facilitators.

Why have a discussion facilitator?

Let's Talk About It programs are designed to be interactive, and the discussion time is often the most satisfying part of the program. If you are using small groups for discussion, it is helpful to recruit, in advance, several discussion facilitators. Ideally, facilitators should thoroughly read the book and be comfortable with people. However, they don't have to be an expert on the book or "have all the answers." Rather, it is their job to keep the group on track during discussion and make sure each person has the opportunity to speak. Get your facilitators together before the first program to discuss what their responsibilities are, make sure they understand the program agenda, and give them an opportunity to share information with one another.

Most program scholars are comfortable leading the discussion. However, if the scholar is looked to as having "the right answer," participants may be inhibited from relating their own experiences and interpretations to the readings. No matter how you structure the discussion, make sure you confer with the scholars before the programs so that they know what is expected of them during the discussion.

Be flexible and do what works in your community. One library provides discussion questions to each group without a designated facilitator. The program coordinator then circulates to make sure each group seems to be on track. Try the small groups, but be amenable to staying in one group if your participants are more comfortable with this.

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How to encourage small group discussion

Program participants are sometimes reluctant to break into smaller groups. They may feel like do not want to miss comments made by the scholar or others who are not in their group. It is also more difficult to "hide" (not to actively participate) in a smaller group. Consider starting small group discussion with an ice breaker, such as asking each group to answer a different question posed by the book. Each group then reports their answer to the larger group. Divide the discussion into two parts -- small groups for 30 minutes and large group for 15 minutes. Ask the scholar not to participate in the small group but simply to circulate as an observer.

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Where to find discussion facilitators

If you are using small groups for discussion, you may need to recruit facilitators. To keep the commitment time limited, ask someone to just facilitate at one program. Here are some possible people to consider:

• Consult with /delegate to your planning committee
• Library staff or board members
• Local teachers
• Book store staff
• Interested club or community organization members
• Someone from your partner organization
• Others who have experience working with groups
• Interested participants--ask them when they check out the books

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