I know there are a lot of libraries that are moving to having their book club books check out individually, instead of in kits. We did that for a couple years here but found that we actually have a lot of book clubs in our area that then were not able to readily access enough books for their clubs when they needed them. We ended up switching our book club books back into bags almost 3 years ago. The kits are very popular, and the book club groups are very appreciative.

Just another perspective  🙂
Amy Van Oordt
Library Assistant II
she/her  (what’s this?)
616.850.6946 | LoutitLibrary.org
407 Columbus Ave. Grand Haven, MI 49417
Expanding Horizons. Enriching Minds. Engaging Community.

From: Deb Hemmye via Michlib-l <michlib-l@liblists.org>
Sent: Thursday, May 28, 2026 4:17 PM
To: Ashley Gillies <agillies@southfieldlibrary.org>
Cc: Michlib <michlib-l@liblists.org>
Subject: [Michlib-l] Re: Book Club Books
 
We don't purchase the books that our book clubs read so I can't answer your question directly, but we do have a book club collection.  We get our book club books in one of two ways:  when a very popular title is no longer popular and we have many copies of it and I think it would make a good discussion book, we add those extra copies to our book club collection.  We only have room for one, at most two, copies of any title on our regular fiction shelves. Second, I grab any free titles that sound interesting whenever another library is weeding their book club sets and so far, I've never had anyone complain that our book club collection is just "old" stuff.  If they haven't read it, it's new to them.
 
We have anywhere from 4-10 copies of each book club title and, although we shelve them together in our Book Club Collection section, we allow the books to be checked out individually.  I'd like to make a small plea to consider doing the same because, just today and many, many other times, our patrons request what they think is one book but turns out to be a book club kit with ten books in a large bag.  They're not happy, and yes I know, they should place their holds more carefully, but still.  Back in the day when the only format choice was hard cover or paperback, this book club kit model made a lot of sense.  Now we have ebooks and audiobooks along with the physical book - meaning the likelihood that anyone needs ten copies is much smaller today.  Just anecdotally - from casual conversations I've had with people I notice checking out book club books - I think we have as many people checking these books out just to read by themselves as we do people checking them out for a book discussion.  My point being that they seem to be popular for more than just book clubs, but I don't think they would be if people had to take ten copies at a time.

Food for thought!

Deb Hemmye
Library Director
Huntington Woods Public Library
26415 Scotia Road
Huntington Woods, MI 48070
248-543-9720, ext. 686

Currently listening to Eddie Winston is Looking for Love, by Marianne Cronin. 





From: "Michlib" <michlib-l@liblists.org>
To: "Michlib" <michlib-l@liblists.org>
Sent: Thursday, May 28, 2026 1:44:33 PM
Subject: [Michlib-l] Book Club Books

Hello,

I was hoping to find out what other libraries do with the books after a book club is finished with them? Do you keep them in circulation, repurpose them, or use them in another way?

I'd also love to know if your library offers book club kits, and how frequently they circulate?

Thank you for any insight you have. I really appreciate it!

Ashley Gillies

Adult Services Librarian

Southfield Public Library

26300 Evergreen Road

Southfield, MI 48076

(248) 796-4377

www.southfieldlibrary.org

(she/her/hers)



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