Joining a reading group is a great way to share the pleasure of reading, exchange views on books and read titles you might not have come across.
All of our libraries have reading groups and anyone can join. Just ask in your local library.
Alternatively, you could get together with friends and have a reading group at home, in the pub or over dinner. As many of us are now more familiar with the technology, you could even use video conferencing for your reading group. We have a guide to get your reading group online.
There are lots of possibilities, so just ask us for advice on setting up and running your own reading group.
Reading group library card
This card allows your group to borrow books from our special collections.
Choose up to 20 titles from the collection, tell us the dates of your meetings and we’ll deliver the books to your local library.
Books can be borrowed for up to 7 weeks and there are 10 available copies of each title, plus large print and audio copies if available. There’s a £1 charge for each set of 10 books.
If you want to meet in your local library, just get in touch and we’ll see what can be arranged.
Reading groups for everyone
If you join Reading Groups for Everyone, you can:
- find a reading group
- add your own group to their list
- find book reviews and book recommendations
- sign up to their newsletter
- enter competitions find discounts and promotions.
Shared reading groups
Shared reading groups give everyone the opportunity to enjoy a good story.
Each group is led by a volunteer or staff member who reads stories and poetry aloud in bite-sized snippets. Everyone is then invited to explore, discuss and comment as the theme unfolds.
There are regular friendly shared reading sessions at Christchurch, Broadstone, Kinson, Poole and Rossmore libraries.
Shared reading is dementia-friendly and suitable for visually impaired adults.