- Form a group of up to ten members
- Each set contains ten copies of a title so book groups cannot exceed ten.
- Give your book group a name
- A unique name helps to avoid confusion when collecting book bags at the library.
- Nominate a group secretary
- Anyone who regularly attends meetings can perform this role.
- The group secretary is the main point of contact with Libraries Tasmania.
- The group secretary is responsible for collecting, distributing, retrieving and returning the books.
- Register your group
- The group secretary registers the book group with Libraries Tasmania by completing this
registration form.
- They then receive the group's registration number and password that are required to get the group started.
- The secretary is also responsible for
renewing the group's membership every two years.
-
Notification must be given if there is a change of group secretary.
- Choose your books
- All our book group titles are searchable on the
Book Groups at Libraries Tasmania catalogue.
- Book groups make their selections using the the "Place Hold" button in the catalogue.
- Groups are encouraged to maintain holds on around 30 titles, so when one book is finished select another.
- Groups should include a mix of older and newer titles in their selections.
- If only a small number of popular books is selected, none might be immediately available in which case the group receives a "lucky dip" book set.
- Members can suggest new titles using the
Recommend a Title form.
- Collect your books
- Initially, each group receives two sets based on the availability of requested titles.
- Book sets are delivered in a bag to the group's nominated local library for the group secretary to collect.
- The group secretary distributes books to members of the book group.
- Meet with your group to discuss the book
- Our catalogue includes 'Information for discussion groups' (see below) for many titles.
- If a book doesn't come with discussion notes, or if further information is required, these websites provide book reviews:
- Return complete book sets
- The group secretary is responsible for retrieving books from members and returning the complete set in its bag to the local library.
- Book bags must be handed directly to a staff member, not returned through the returns chute.
- At the point of return, library staff check the contents and inform the Group Secretary if charges for damaged or lost books are to be applied.
- There are no fees for overdue sets however prompt return is encouraged.
- The return of a complete set triggers the despatch of the next set based on the availability of requested books.
Need help?
- The group secretary is the main point of contact for all book groups, however if they are unable to assist, contact your
local library.
- Notify your group secretary if a book is damaged or lost.
- Contact your
local library if you need help using a computer for your book group.
Contact
Phone: contact your
local library
Email:
bookgroups.libraries@education.tas.gov.au
Post:
Book Groups at Libraries Tasmania
91 Murray Street, HOBART TAS 7000
You can also download this guide in a print friendly format
How to start and run a Book Group at Libraries Tasmania (PDF 252KB).
For more information refer to Book Groups at Libraries Tasmania.