Budgeting
It is possible to run a book club on a shoestring budget. You will have to work with your collaborators and see what you agree on is important to provide to your book club participants.
A few budget items to think about:
- A copy of the book for each your participants
- circa $10-$15/copy of book/participant
- Refreshments (Cookies? Chips? Candy? Something catered? Tea and coffee?)
- Costs will vary, but it is possible to spend under $100 for a semester of non-perishable nibblies
- Movie tickets, if you are timing a book club around the release of a feature film
- Costs will vary, but calculate $15/ticket/participant
- Speaker fees
- In our experience, these can range from $250 per thirty minute skype call to $1000 for an hour of conversation. The range is large.
- Costs for promotional materials (printing, etc.)
- Costs for miscellany (book plates, etc.)
When you have examined possible budget items, create a budget request form for your department and/or to share with collaborators. You are welcome to borrow the following format:
- Library staff involved in planning
- Frequency
- Date funding decision needed by
- Starting date or quarter/term
- Anticipated goal or outcome from proposed event/program
- Alignment with strategic plan
- Co-sponsorship with other campus unit or external partners (not required)
Sample Budget Worksheet
| Description | Library funds | Co-sponsor funds | Total funds |
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Book costs |
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Snacks |
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Other costs (list) |
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Total: |
