The New Brunswick Free Public Library has over 80,000 books, 200 periodicals, and over one thousand DVDs and videotapes, covering popular as well as educational topics and subjects. Anyone with a suggestion for the collection can contact the library at 732-745-5108 x20 or nbfpl@lmxac.org, or contact one of the department librarians listed below.
Are you thinking of starting a book club, but don’t know how to start?
Is your book club looking for new and exciting titles to read?
Would your book club like to read a particular book, but you can’t find enough copies of the book for each member?
If so, look no further than New Brunswick Free Public Library’s “Book Club in a Bag” collection!
Each kit contains 6 or more copies of a title and a book discussion guide in a sturdy, canvas tote bag. Kits are available to any library visitor with a valid library card. Members of other libraries might be able to request a kit to be sent to their library by asking their home library’s Reference Librarian.
- One person from the book club checks out the kit and is responsible for the entire kit and its contents.
- The loan period for kits is 4 weeks. Kits may be renewed once for an additional 4 weeks, if no other person has requested the kit.
- Check contents before returning the kit. Each kit comes with a sign-out sheet to facilitate keeping track of which book club members have copies of the books.
- The replacement cost of an entire kit is $140.00. The replacement costs of individual parts of the kit will depend on the cost of each particular item.
- You may not keep a bag past its due date. If you do, you will be billed $1 each day the kit is overdue.
How Your Book Discussion Group Can Help:
You can help build the Book Club Kit program by donating copies of books your group has read. This will be a great way for area groups to share not just the titles of what they've read and enjoyed, but the books themselves.Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. One of my group members forgot to return their book, who is responsible?
A. The person who borrows the bag is completely responsible for the return of the bag and all of its contents.
Q. I can't remember what was in my bag when I got it, how do I know what to check for before returning it?
A. You can check the orange tag on the tote bag, or look for the sign-out sheet included with each kit. The kit contents are listed on the sign-out sheet. If you still need assistance, call the Circulation Desk at 732-745-5108, ext. 25.
Q. Can my group members return their own books to the library?
A. No, the Book Club Kit must be returned as one unit with all of its contents.
Q. What if a book is lost?
A. If your group loses a book you have two choices: replace it with another copy of the book that is clean and readable, or the library will bill you for the book.
Q. May I place a hold on a Book Club Kit from the online catalog?
A. Yes. Log into the library’s online catalog, iBistro, and log into the system with your library card number and PIN. If you have not set a PIN for your library card, you may do so by calling the Reference Desk at 732-745-5108, ext. 20.
Q. What if the Book Club Kit does not contain enough books for each member?
A. You can request additional copies of the title by using the iBistro online catalog, calling the library at 732-745-5108, or by visiting the library.
Q. Someone in my group prefers large print books, how can I help them?
A. You can request copies of the title in large print format or as an audio book by using the iBistro online catalog, calling the library at 732-745-5108, or by visiting the library.
Q. Does the library have space for my group to meet?
A. If your book club is a New Brunswick community-based group, you may be able to book our Community Room for your meetings. Click on this link, or call or visit the library, to find out more!Online Book Club Resources:
If you are thinking about starting a book club, or if you want to improve your current book club, check out these online resources.
BookSprouts
BookSprouts is an online community for book clubs. Create a book club online and invite members to join. You can also keep track of titles read, meeting dates, and much more.Monthly Book Club Tips
This list from Reading Group Guides is updated monthly with new and creative ideas for improving your book club.Book Club Reader
Available from Simon & Schuster, this website offers resources including title suggestions, book club meeting tips, and a guide to starting your own book discussion group.
The adult collection contains classic and contemporary fiction, urban fiction, mysteries, science fiction, romance, and westerns. The non-fiction collection covers a wide range of subjects including a collection of test preparation and ESL books.
The collection includes a range of titles in Hungarian. To make a suggestion or ask a question, please contact Iren Ruschack at 732-745-5108 x27or irenr@lmxac.org.
The library is constantly expanding its collection of fiction and non-fiction titles in Spanish.
The library's DVD and video collection includes popular, independent, foreign, and educational titles.
The library has a variety of fiction and non-fiction titles on CD and cassette tape.
The library subscribes to many and various magazines, most of which can be borrowed. The library also subscribes to some periodicals which can be perused inside the library only. The daily newspapers that we receive are: the Home News Tribune, the Star Ledger, the Trenton Times, the New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal.
The children's collection includes board books, picture books, and chapter books, as well as many non-fiction titles and magazines. For questions or suggestions, please contact the Children's Librarian at 732.745.5116 x15.
The library's collection of young adult books contains both classics and contemporary novels. We also have a collection of Western comics and manga (Japanese comics) for teens. Anyone with a suggestion for the collection, please contact the Young Adult Librarian, Camille Thompson, at: 732.745.5116 x22 or thompson@lmxac.org.
Our reference collection contains over 1000 volumes on a wide range of topics, from general encyclopedias to New Jersey history.