Book Club in a Bag
We'll provide the books, you gather your people and provide the snacks! Book Club in a Bag is a convenient way for you to easily get enough books for a whole group!
Book Club in a Bag is a an easy DIY book club! Each bag contains 10 copies of the same title with a 6 week checkout period as well as discussion questions. It's that easy, all you need is a Library card! There are hundreds of titles to choose from!
Borrowers make a reservation for a Book Club in a Bag in MyTurn Reservations rather than in the Library's online catalog. In MyTurn you can search by title, browse a list of all titles available, or search from categories like: Age Level (adult, teen, juvenile), Award Winners, Classics, Mystery, Romance, Spanish, and more! You can even search by number of pages!
If you have never made a reservation before, see our Book Club in a Bag reservation directions.
Borrowing Details
- Each bag contains 10 copies of the same title with a 6 week checkout period.
- Each bag contains discussion questions.
- Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance.
- After reserving a Book Club in a Bag, it will be delivered to the location of your choice.
- You will receive an email letting you know when it is ready for pickup.
- Reservations can be made up to one year in advance.
Can’t find a Book Club in a Bag for the book your group wants to read, or want to learn more? Email us any questions or suggestions for Book Club in a Bag.
Tell us what you think! We welcome your feedback about this service.
FAQ
How do I check out a Book Club in a Bag?
You will receive an email when the Bag is ready at your pick-up location. You will go to the checkout desk to receive your Bag.
How far in advance can I reserve a Book Club in a Bag?
A Book Club in a Bag can be reserved up to two years in advance. There are no limits on the number of Bags you can reserve over the two year period but you are limited to a maximum of ten Bags checked out at one time. Moreover, reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance of planned usage to allow time for processing, delivery, and hold notifications.
How do I return a Book Club in a Bag?
A Book Club in a Bag can be returned inside at the checkout desk of any Indianapolis Public Library location. Please do not attempt to return a Book Club in a Bag through the book drop.
How do I view, change, or cancel a Book Club in a Bag reservation?
Log into your MyTurn Reservations account and access your reservations using the drop down menu at the top of the screen. Click on “more actions” for the reservation you want to edit. You can then change the dates or cancel the reservation. Click on “submit the reservation” to change the dates, or “ok” if you wish to cancel the reservation.
What is in a Book Club in a Bag?
Each Book Club in a Bag contains roughly 10 copies of a given title and a discussion guide.
How long is the checkout period for a Book Club in a Bag?
A Book Club in a Bag can be checked out for 6 weeks. Please make every possible attempt to return the Bag by the due date indicated by your Library account as other book groups may be waiting on it. Book Club in a Bag reservation and checkout privileges may be revoked if borrowed items are not consistently returned on time.
Can I renew a Book Club in a Bag?
No, a Book Club in a Bag cannot be renewed. Please email us if the checkout date needs to be extended.
Also, if a book group changes leadership or the person who borrowed the Book Club in a Bag leaves the group, please contact us to move the reservation over to a borrower that is still in the group.
Why don't reservations appear in my main Indianapolis Public Library account?
We use MyTurn for Book Club in a Bag reservations, so your active Book Club in a Bag reservations will only appear on the MyTurn site and not in your main Library account. However, the Bag WILL appear in your main Library account when the Bag is on its way for pickup and during the period it is checked out.
How can I suggest titles for the program or donate copies?
Submit suggestions for Book Club in a Bag titles by email or by submitting a survey when returning your Book Club in a Bag.
If your book group wishes to donate copies after a book discussion event to create a Book Club in a Bag, please email us for more information.
Are there any fees or fines for overdue or lost materials?
The Indianapolis Public Library does not charge overdue fines. However, there are fees for damaged or lost materials.
The Book Club in Bag damaged or lost fees are:
- Whole Kit - $25.00
- Lost or Damaged Bags - $25.00
- Lost/Missing books - no fees
Made possible by Friends of the Library through gifts to The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation.