We know it can be hard for all your book club members to get a hold of the same book, at the same time. Scheduling a meeting is hard enough! So, let the library help! Learn about our Book Club Kit program by Mugo, as well as some additional tips and tricks for running book clubs. And learn about the Good Book Group, which has been meeting at the library since 1989.
Book Club Kits
A Book Club Kit is 10 copies of a book packaged in an easy to carry tote bag, alongside book club leader resources. It's designed to help you hold your own book discussions with enough copies for the members of your group.
HOW IT WORKS
- Visit Mugo Library
- Browse by title or by date for availability
- Click Reserve this Kit and follow the steps on the screen
It's that simple! For step by step instructions, check out our guide to using Mugo Library.
We currently have over 150 free Book Club Kits featuring new and popular adult titles.
FAQ's
- A Book Club Kit consists of 10 copies of a book packaged in an easy to carry tote bag, alongside some book club leader resources.
- Book Club Kits may be borrowed by any local book club. The Book Club Kit will be checked out on the library card of the person picking up the bag. That person assumes responsibility for the bag and all its contents. (These kits are not available for Interloan at this time.)
- All sorts of titles are available! See the complete list of Book Club Kits that we hold in our system.
- Book clubs must reserve a book club kit on Mugo Library using a current PCIN library card (Stratford, St Marys, West Perth, Perth East or North Perth). Using the Mugo Library scheduling software, clubs can check on kit availability and book up to a year in advance! Instructions on using Mugo Library.
- Kits can be picked up on the main floor of the library by the Information Desk.
- The loan period for a Book Club Kit is a default of 5 weeks. The return date will be set when you book your kit on Mugo Library. It is important to return all books in the Book Club Kit together and on time as other book clubs may have reserved them.
- Book Club Kits cannot be renewed in order to ensure that the set is available for use by other book clubs.
- Book Club Kits must be returned together as one unit, with all books and resources inside, as they were checked out. A Book Club Kit will not be checked in unless all books and resources are inside. Book Club Kits may be returned through the book drop as long as all items are included and the bag is zipped closed to keep all items together.
- The late charge is $1 per day, per complete set. The late fees are applied to the card of the person who signed out the kit.
- A flat rate of $15.00 will be charged for each missing item in a kit, or $150 for a full kit that may be missing.
Good Book Group
The Good Book Group has been meeting at the Library since 1989. They are an ever-changing group of people who enjoy getting together to talk about books. Books are chosen for discussion several months in advance and the upcoming selections are listed below. Presently, they meet twice a month as noted below. Everyone is welcome to join this group.
- 1st Tuesday of each month | 2 - 4 PM | Avondale United Church
- Thursday following the 1st Tuesday of the month | 7:00 - 8:30 PM | Stratford Public Library Auditorium
Questions about the Good Book Group? Contact John Patterson
Reader's Advisory Resources
- Novelist: Book discussion guides available through Stratford Public Library
- Dewey Divas and Dudes: The adventures of book reps on the road
- Library Thing: Great book tools
- Which Book: Clever ways to choose a good book
- Good Reads: Great ideas for readers; requires free registrations
- All Readers: Another good book site
- The 49th Shelf : Find out new & upcoming Canadian reads, or explore older favourites
- Canada Reads: Canada's annual battle of the books competition
- CBC Books: Great reading lists and more
Tips for Running a Book Club
- Tips on Running a Successful Bookclub from Edmonton Public Library
- I Love Libraries is an American organization but has some great ideas and resources for book clubs everywhere
- ReadingGroupGuides.com and LitLovers.com offers great resources for book-specific discussion questions
- The Literary Gathering is operated by a bookclub in Hamilton that shares book choices, discussion questions, and inspired menus
More Information
For assistance in selecting a kit for your book club or for more information on how SPL can support your book club, contact:
Emma Brommer
Public Service Librarian
splbookclubs@splibrary.ca
519-271-0220 x146