Book Clubs

• Joining a Clarence Regional Library book club is free
• Each book club registers as a library ‘member’ designating the name and details of a contact person.
• Each club nominates a chosen 'contact person' whose name and contact details will appear on the registration.

• The contact person will sign the Book Club borrowers card and have responsibility for reserving kits for the club.
• The contact person for each Book Club will also liaise with library staff with any questions regarding reservations of future titles, book club events and news.
• The contact person is responsible for ensuring all copies of books are returned to the library without damage and by the due date, as one complete kit.
• The contact person can elect to have their contact details available within the library or on the Clarence Regional Library website for anyone wishing to enquire about joining their book club.

• Kits are packaged in library bags with a single barcode on a swing tag attached to the bag. These kits usually consist of multiple (normally 10) copies of a single title.
• Only book club kits can be borrowed on the book club library card.
• Clubs can borrow up to 2 kits at a time
• All kit items need to be returned at the same time to ensure smooth lending to the next club wishing to read that title.
• Only complete and undamaged kits will be accepted.
• Book clubs will not be able to borrow if they have overdue items.

• The list of book club kits can be found on the catalogue.

View our current Book Club titles for loan

• Always reserve back up titles as there is no guarantee that the title will arrive on the exact date required. Library staff can assist with reserving titles.
• We welcome suggestions for new titles and any other comments you may have about the service.

• Clubs are asked to annually donate an agreed title in a new or 'read once' condition to help build the Book Club Collection.
• For smaller clubs the library will top up the kit to a total of 10 titles.
• Advise the library of the title your club is thinking of donating to ensure
  • 1. the kit doesn't already exist or is not currently on order
  • 2. it hasn't already been in the system

• Book club events are held regularly in Clarence Regional Libraries throughout the year.
• Member clubs will receive email advice of author visits and other library events.

• Book should have enough “oomph” to sustain discussion for at least 20 minutes. “Happy” books may not sustain discussion.
• Selecting titles for an entire year is a good idea.
• Use proportional voting to select books, so everyone has a say.
• Perhaps choose a topic and 3 books related to it.
• For variety, everyone might occasionally bring a different book instead of having one title under discussion.

• Don’t begin by asking “Did you like the book?” Instead, end with that question.
• Ask open-ended questions.
• What struck you about the book?
• What was the theme?
• What was the author’s motivation? What was a particular character’s motivation?
• What was the significance of the title? 
• Discuss what the author did not say.
• The discussion’s goal is to expand understanding of the book.
• Be mindful of group dynamics.
  • Find a way to let everyone talk.
  • Are individuals in the group enjoying the discussion?
  • Draw out the timid and gently hold back the talkative ones. Read body language. For example, a person leaning forward wants to speak
  • Have each person in the group ask a question.

• Reading Group Guides.com

Over 3,500 guides for different titles are available at this site.

• BookBrowse.com

The Reading Group site from BookBrowse.com. The unique feature of this site is that excerpts are included for all featured titles, as well as reading guides and author interviews.

• The Great Books Foundation

The Great Books Reading & Discussion programs "introduce adult participants to substantial works of literature, philosophy, economics, political science, and psychology."

• SparkNotes

SparkNotes offer free Study Guides that are just as useful for book discussion groups as they are for students. Available titles cover a broad range of literature including contemporary classics.

• Reading Group Choices

A large collection of reading group guides searchable by author or title.

• Random House Reading Group

One of the best publisher's sites, Random House presents Reading Guides for books by many of the finest contemporary writers.

• Oprah's Book Club

The popular TV host's book club.

• LibraryThing - catalog your books online and connect with people who read the same thing

A book social networking site.

• Goodreads - a book social networking site

Goodreads is a privately run site where you can see what your friends are reading and vice versa. You can create "bookshelves" to organize what you've read (or want to read) and you can comment on each other's reviews.

• BBC World Service Book Club

Every month BBC World Service Radio hosts a discussion with an internationally acclaimed author about one of their best-known books. Submit your questions to the author online.

• Lit Lovers

An online community featuring book discussion guides, recommendations, and literature courses.

• First Tuesday Book Club (ABC TV) - site includes discussion boards
• LibraryThing - check out the links to 'Talk' and 'Groups'
• Oprah's Book Club (Oprah Winfrey TV show)

If you have any other useful websites for Book Clubs please let our staff know.