GREENFIELD — With a 10-year background as a book editor specializing in personal growth books, Rachel Shields Ebersole is bringing her interest in literature and self-improvement to a new club.

The Personal Growth Book Club, intended for ages 16 and up, meets the third Wednesday of the month at the Greenfield Public Library, with an initial meeting having been held Feb. 19 to meet members for the first time and discuss their interests. The program is sponsored by the Friends of the Greenfield Public Library and the library is providing the books to members.

In addition to being a book editor, Shields Ebersole has participated in many book clubs in the past. She was particularly hooked on the idea of starting a book club due to her experience with a book club when she was living in Portland, Oregon, that provided a way for community members to connect with each other, curbing the isolation felt amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We just found that to be a really nourishing source of community in the midst of chaos and isolation,” she said.

When she arrived in Greenfield in June 2023, Shields Ebersole was looking to get involved with the community. She decided to collaborate with the Greenfield Public Library for a book club because of its continued support of community-led programs.

“I just wanted to partner with a local organization to put a book club together,” Shields Ebersole explained. “[The Greenfield Public Library is] very open to community-sponsored events and community-led programming. The librarians are very supportive.”

Shields Ebersole chose the book club’s theme of personal growth because of her vast experience with the genre and because, as opposed to fiction books, she feels you can have discussions about the books while simultaneously relating the subject matter to your own life, allowing club members to get to know each other on a deeper level.

“That sort of growth mindset and positive energy is really energizing for me, so I’m excited to just have those conversations and meet people who are on that wavelength,” she noted.

The assigned book for March is “Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals” by Oliver Burkeman. The book explores the short human lifespan and how to make the most of time while we have it.

“The time management topic seems like something that would be broadly appealing,” Shields Ebersole said. “After that, I plan to pick books based on group interests and recommendations.”

The club will meet next on Wednesday, March 19, at 6:30 p.m. to discuss “Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals.” There will be no meeting in April but the club will reconvene in May.