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North East Library Federation

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Book Club Set FAQ

1. What is this program about?

Normally, book clubs can request multiple copies of books through the interlibrary loan (ILL) system. However, many book clubs enjoy reading newer books and most libraries don't lend new books through ILL. Libraries are making these particular sets of books available so that book clubs can (a) read the new books they want to read, (b) have the books for 5 weeks instead of the usual 2-3, and (c) avoid having to ask their members to buy their own copies.

Librarians also believe that in every book lies the potential that it will change someone's life, and that those chances increase when people talk about the ideas they've been reading about. If you're in a book club, you need the kind of reading material that will generate great conversation. We librarians guarantee that every single book on our list contains many seeds for those kinds of memorable conversations.

2. How much does it cost?

The program is absolutely free for readers.

3. Who chooses the books for the sets?

The books are chosen by a combination of librarians and people like you. If you have a reading suggestion, please tell someone at your library. Once a year, libraries get to suggest the books that will be purchased for the program in the coming 12 months.

4. What if the book we want isn't on your list?

That means we don't have it as a set. You can:

(a) Choose a different book;

(b) If the book is more than one year old, you may be able to request enough copies through interlibrary loan. Someone at your library will need to help you do that.

(c) Please tell someone at your library so that we know what you want! If it's a new book, it might be one we buy in our next round of book club set shopping. 🙂

5. How does our club request a set of books?

Your local library needs to make the request for you, so please ask your librarians for the books you want. They'll be happy to help you!

6. How many copies can we borrow?

You can request either 5 or 10 copies of a book. If you need more copies, please ask us if more might be available through interlibrary loan.

7. How long can we have the books?

Groups can have the books for 5 weeks. Because other groups reserve the sets you can't renew the books -- sorry!

8. What happens if the book we want isn't available?

We call or email to let you know. At that time, you can request either a different book or a different date to read the original one.

9. Can we reserve the books ahead of time?

Yes! And that's a good way, actually, of making sure you'll have the books when you want to read them. Let your library know as soon as possible that you want a certain set...

10. Is our library participating in this project?

If your library belongs to the IslandLink, Kootenay, Northwest, North Central, or North East library federation, you can request these books. Not sure if your library belongs to one of these federations? We've got a list of libraries for you at http://www.bclibraries.ca/home/bc-library-federation.

Resources

BC Library Associations

BC Library Association (BCLA)
BC Library Trustees Association (BCLTA)
Pacific Northwest Library Association (PNLA)

BC Libraries Co-operative

“A community enterprise, strategically focused on the delivery of shared operational infrastructure and resources for our diverse members”

General Support
Continuing Training
LibPress Training Manual
Sitka Policy Manual

BC Library Federations

Kootenay Library Federation
InterLINK
IslandLink Library Federation
North Central Library Federation
North West Library Federation

bclibslearn

Home of the BC libraries staff competency learning matrix.

Libraries Branch

BC Libraries Branch Home Page
Provincial Vision and Strategic Plan
Provincial Funding for Public Libraries
Community Literacy Resources

Outlook

BC Electronic Library Network (BCELN)

Book Club Sets

Book Club Sets are designed to support book clubs in communities that are members of the Kootenay, Northwest, North Central, North East and IslandLink library federations.