FAQs About Book Clubs

What are the benefits of book club membership?

Benefits of membership of book clubs include:

• Great social interaction at meetings.
• Access to sets of books bought solely for the use by book club members.
• Improved access to support materials such as book club reviews.

Why is there a fee?

The annual fee of $100 per club is to enable the library service to purchase more titles for book club members to enjoy. This will enable the library service to continue to purchase the same amount of materials we would normally purchase for access by all library members free of charge.

Can we pay the fee earlier than 4 January?

If book clubs are in a position to make payments on behalf of the whole club, then payment can be made anytime at any library.

Can book club members pay individually?

With over 1,000 individual members and the need to keep track of which book clubs have paid, book clubs will need to a single payment on behalf of the entire book club. This system should not only make it easier for the library service to track payments, it will also provide a smoother process for book clubs.

What are the fees used for?

The fees go directly into purchasing new titles for the exclusive use of book clubs. The new book club titles are purchased in sets of 8, and do not form part of the collection of library materials accessible by other library members. These book club sets can only be reserved and borrowed by book clubs.

If some members leave our book club during the year, can we seek a refund?

Refunds will not be provided should members leave the book club during the year. Individual book clubs can make their own arrangements.

If new members join our club during the year, do they have to pay the fee?

This decision is up to the individual book clubs, their members and the coordinators. The payment system is based on trust, and the more members who pay the membership fee, the more money there will be to spend on new titles for exclusive use by book clubs.

Book clubs are free to choose to charge members who join midway through any calendar year the entire annual fee, a portion of the fee, or nothing at all. All of these choices have implications on the availability of funds to purchase new book club sets.

How are new books selected for purchase for the book club collection?

There are a number of methods used to select new titles which will be purchased for book clubs. Suggestions can be made at any time of the year by members of the book club. Staff also research which books are most likely to appeal to book clubs and which reflect the trends in the wider industry (such as top seller lists and book reviews).

What if a member of a book club does not pay but the rest of the book club does?

Membership of any book club is not determined by library staff or management; that role is considered a responsibility of the book club coordinator. What happens to members who don’t pay the annual fee is a decision for the book club to make together.

Who can I contact if I have more questions?

Simply ask in person at your local library, or email .