The Colbern Road Branch Library book club might be a little more than you would expect from such a group. Sometimes, they can get a little enthusiastic in their literary discussions. It's a place where people feel free to express their opinions and where ideas multiply. So, it takes a steady hand at the helm to keep things focused.
"It is a gift to be able to keep people on the subject," Karla Hughes, a member, said.
"It makes a huge difference in a book club who the leader is," member Teresa Eskew added.
The leader of this Lee's Summit book club is Carrie Mayle. Members give her the credit for the great sharing atmosphere.
"As a former teacher, Carrie always brings in materials and resources and makes the whole experience educational. We wind up always learning something from each other and from her," Eskew said.
"We don't just read and discuss, we also look at other creative ways to flesh out a book or an idea," Mayle explained.
Several members nominated Mayle for the John Ferguson Legacy Award for Outstanding Library Service. It's given each year to a Mid-Continent Public Library employee based on nominations from customers and staff.
This year, Mayle won.
"It's very fitting, I think that she win this award, because I knew John Ferguson," Eskew said.
She added that Ferguson's wife Nancy would no doubt be in the club with her if she were still in town.
Mayle is quick to credit the library's support for the book club's success, and to point out that two of her fellow Colbern Road employees were also nominated.
But, award or not, the enthusiastic group can still get in trouble for being too loud in the library.
"Yes we do. Quite a bit," Mayle admitted.
