Updated Sept. 2024
This page contains important information and expectations for users of the Book Club Resource and CSL Kits collections (usually an assigned Primary Contact who manages the account we have created for their library, or a colleague of theirs). Please review the information below carefully before requesting any materials from the above collections.
FAQs
View Frequently Asked Questions about the Colorado Book Club Resource and CSL Kits.
Contact the Program Managers
Contact bookclub@coloradovirtuallibrary.org or cslkits@cvllists.org with any questions or to address any concerns.
Expectations for Participation in the Book Club Resource Program
We want to share our book club sets with any and all book clubs that might like to request them and we expect our patron libraries to do the same. Most lending goes through staff members who manage the account we set up for their library. Our users are mainly public libraries, sometimes colleges or schools – all of these we consider our “patron libraries.”
Because of the reliance on libraries to sub-loan sets and the courier system to transport them, we have a few important expectations of our patron libraries:
- We expect you to be amenable to facilitating the lending of our book club sets to your patrons when requested, regardless of whether a patron is part of an official book club hosted or organized by your library.
- Put another way, if a person has a card and is in good standing with the library, we assume you will help them request their desired book club sets for them as long as your library is enrolled in our program. If one of your patrons approaches us asking to borrow a book club set, we will explain this expectation to them and/or notify the Primary Contact.
- However, libraries are not obligated to lend to members of the public who reside outside of their library service area, as well as those without a library card, or who are not in good standing with the library.
- Participation in this program is voluntary. Your library may decide to not participate at any time.
- Special or academic libraries, of course, may not be open to the general public. However, in some cases, they may be the most convenient courier stop to a book club. We may reach out to ask if you will help them get the materials they need. Such organizations are not obligated to help in this circumstance, but we always appreciate it when they do!
Loans
- All loans last for at least 8 weeks and you can renew in your AspenCat account as long as no other holds are pending.
- We share all our materials on a first come first served basis. Your account allows you to “freeze” a hold for a certain date, but we can’t guarantee that an item will be available.
- Allow 1-2 weeks for items to reach you via the courier after placing a hold. It is usually quicker, but as the program relies on the courier it is always best to allow ample time for items to reach your library.
Assigned Contacts
- The Primary Contact gets the notifications the system generates and is responsible for managing all loans.
- We will always direct interested community members to the Primary Contact at their nearest branch first and foremost.
- We are happy for the Primary Contact to share access to their branch’s account with colleagues (AKA, Secondary Contacts) as long as everyone is on the same page regarding the expectations listed above.
- If a Primary Contact cannot be reached, either by email or phone, we may restrict your account until the issue is resolved by the patron library.
- We always appreciate being notified of any changes in primary or secondary contacts.
Loss or Damage to Materials
- It is the patron library’s responsibility to return everything in a lendable state at the end of the loan period.
- If any books go missing during the loan period, we generally expect the library to organize their replacement.
- Although we can send an invoice to cover the costs of a replacement, it is much more preferable if the library simply replaces the book(s) themselves or orders replacements straight to the Colorado State Library, 201 E Colfax Ave, RM 309, Denver, CO 80203.
- We can accept used books in good condition as a replacement.
- If items from a resource kit go missing or are broken or become unusable, we will need to assess it on an individual basis. Reach out so we can discuss costs (contact emails are above).
- If replacing books or kit materials creates a hardship for your library, or if you have any concerns about replacements, reach out and we can usually work something out (contact emails are above).
- Items lost in the courier system are not the library’s responsibility.
Miscellaneous
- Barcodes are only for our purposes in Koha. Please don’t try to scan the barcode that is on the set/kit.
- Feel free to keep track of book club copies using whatever method works best for your library. All we ask is that you return materials to us (Courier Code C912) in a complete state.
- Book club sets are for community book clubs/reading groups, so we are happy for them to leave your location. Resource kits, however, should always remain in the library.
- Sign up to the email list to get occasional updates about the collections.