Model readers: a 37-year-old book club establishes a community platform for literacy and longevity.

In 2000, when Virginia View attended a public forum on book clubs sponsored by Sisterspace and Books bookstore in Washington, D.C., she was pleased to learn of the growing interest in organized reading and book discussions among African Americans. As a member of a thriving and prolific reading group for more than 30 years, View hoped the history of her own reading group would prove a viable model for new reading groups to emulate.

With the claims that it is the oldest "continuously operating" book club in Washington, D.C., the Oracle Set Book Club was established in 1966 when Claudette Ford invited a group of friends, all recent college graduates, to come together regularly to read and discuss books. Ever since their first meeting, the fourth Sunday of each month has become a sacred time for the Oracle Set women to band together for literary discourse at members' homes, art galleries or bookstores, often with an invited guest author in their midst.

According to View, who joined the club in 1970, the women decided to focus their literary discussions on the then small but growing list of newly published African American writers. "The members were committed to book discussions that would expand their personal vision, expose authors to a reading audience and promote literacy among our youth," she says.

The group sponsored its first annual book and author luncheon in 1967. The luncheons are held each March and provide an opportunity for approximately 250 guests to meet and dialogue with authors.

"Our literacy promotion activities are designed to help develop the next generation of readers and to ensure an audience for new writers," says View. "A young person's appreciation for literacy is enhanced when they meet writers and share the experience with people who gather for the pure pleasure of discussing books."

Luncheon tickets have been donated to students since the club's inaugural luncheon. The group has also donated magazine subscriptions to children's hospitals, sponsored teen theater parties and held book discussions at a local junior high school. In 1987, they became a sponsor of the D.C. Reading Is Fundamental program, which donates books to children. As a proven institution and an asset to the Washington, D.C., community, the Oracle Set Book Club, in 1992 (its 25th anniversary), proudly placed its records in the archives of the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center at Howard University.

In 1998, the Oracle Club established the Claudette Franklin Ford Scholarship in honor of its founder, who passed away in 1996. The annual essay competition targets graduating seniors in D.C. public high schools. "Claudette was the driving force behind the club's success and longevity," says View. "We could think of no more fitting tribute to her memory."

Pat Houser is a contributing editor at BIBR. If you'd like to have your book club mentioned, e-mail her at [e-mail].

GROUP PROFILE

The Club: Oracle Set Book Club

Location: Washington, D.C.

Book Preferences: Books on black culture

Number of Members: 18

How Often They Meet: Fourth Sunday of each month

Last Book Read: Daughters of the Dust by Julie Dash (Penguin, February 1999

Group Reaction: Extremely favorably 

Next Book: Black Georgetown Remembered by Kathleen M. Lesko, Valeire Babb, Carroll R. Gibbs, Samuel Harvey 

How They Choose Books: Tentative book list is chosen one year in advance based upon member recommendations.