Book Club Kits

Expand the options your book club has through CALS Book Club Kits, made possible by funds provided by CALS Used Book Sales. Kits check out for 6 weeks and can be sent for pickup at any branch. A PDF of the complete collection is available for download under “Book Club Kits A-Z.” To find out more about a certain genre, click the links listed under the “Search Kits in CALS Catalog” tab.

What is a CALS Book Club Kit?

A book club kit is a handy canvas tote that holds:

• 10 copies of one title
• 1 discussion guide to assist book club leaders

Who can check out a CALS Book Club kit?

Anyone can check out a book club kit provided that they

• are 18 years or older
• have an active CALS Library Card with an outstanding balance of $100 or less, and
• have registered with the CALS Book Club Kit Program

What rules apply to a CALS Book Club Kit?

• Kits may be reserved up to 12 months in advance
• Each kit checks out for 6 weeks. Kits cannot be renewed.
• Kits are put on hold for one (1) person per club. This person must be 18 or older and is responsible for picking up, distributing, collecting, and returning the complete kit, as well as paying any overdue fines or replacement fees if the kit is returned incomplete or damaged.
• Kits must be returned in full to the Circulation Desk of any CALS library during regular library hours. Do not use book drops to return kits.
• The fine for overdue book club kits is 10₵ per day per kit.
• The replacement fee for a full kit is $150. The replacement fee for a single book is $15. The replacement fee for discussion guides is $2.

How do I reserve a CALS Book Club kit?

If you are new to the program or would like to change your club’s contact information, you must submit a Book Club Registration Form. When filling out the form, you will have an opportunity to list the kits you are interested in checking out.

Online Form

If you are already registered, you may email bookkitsinfo@cals.org with your name, your club’s name, and the kit(s) you are interested in checking out.

My club doesn’t know what to read next. Can CALS help us decide?

The CALS Book Club Kit Program is structured to encourage self-guided exploration through the use of digital genre lists. The Book Club Kits Coordinator is familiar with the collection and can offer suggestions based on past books your club has enjoyed; however, as with all books your club selects, we recommend that a member of your group reads the book to see if it is a good fit for your club.

Do you take suggestions for new kits?

Yes! Email the title and author to bookkitsinfo@cals.org. Please note that suggesting a title does not guarantee we will purchase it.

For more information

Contact the Book Club Kit Coordinator at bookkitsinfo@cals.org.