How to start and run a Book Group

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 Tasmania catalogue.
- Book groups make their selections using 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 for Book Groups Tasmania 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’ 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.