READS-to-go

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is READS-to-Go?
• READS-to-Go is a program of the Reference and Adult Services (READS) section of New Hampshire Library Association.  It selects and manages book kits to assist book discussion groups throughout the state, both community and library sponsored.
• What is in a kit?
• A READS-to-Go kit consists of a sturdy canvas bag, 10-15 copies of the title (usually paperback, with one large print version, in paper or hardcover, depending upon availability, and occasionally an audio version), and a folder containing discussion questions, a sign-out sheet, and a discussion group flyer.
• Who can sponsor a kit?
• A NH library that participates in the New Hampshire Interlibrary Loan Program, and has a van stop, may choose to sponsor a kit. We also welcome sponsorship from book discussion groups and civic organizations, however a NH public library must be willing to act as the intermediary between the group and the READS-to-Go Committee.
• Does the sponsor get to pick a title?
• Kit titles are selected by the READS-to-Go Committee and offered to sponsor libraries (“host libraries”). A sponsor may decline a title that has been offered and request alternate titles. A title may be requested by a host library, which will then be reviewed by the committee for approval. The committee may choose to decline a title.
• What are the criteria for a title to be added to the service?
• Additions must be current and available in paperback (the large print copy may be in hardcover). The book should present opportunities for discussion. Any candidate for addition to the list will be reviewed by the READS-to-Go Committee before being added.
• How can libraries reserve a kit?
• If you would like to reserve a kit, please check our READS-to-Go kit management site athttps://readstogo.libcal.com/. Kits are reserved through RTG LibCal and circulated through the NH State Interlibrary Loan van delivery service. (Note: Do not reserve kits through the NHAIS Interlibrary Loan System, only through RTG LibCal). Please note: reservations are not confirmed until approved by library or READS-to-Go staff.
• How can book clubs borrow a Reads-to-Go kit?
• Kits are reserved throughRTG LibCaland circulated through the NH State Interlibrary Loan van delivery service. (Note: Do not reserve kits through the NHAIS Interlibrary Loan System, only through RTG LibCal). Book club representatives ("patrons") are welcome to browse through titles and kit schedules on thehttps://readstogo.libcal.com/ website, and may place reservations. Please note: reservations are not confirmed until approved by library or READS-to-Go staff. A library card is required to check out kits. Patrons may also contact their local library to reserve a kit for them.
• How long can a kit be checked out for?
• The standard length of time a kit may be checked out is five weeks, with a week on either end for sending/returning.
• Can a kit booking be extended?
• Perhaps. If you need to borrow the kit for longer than expected, please contact your local library (patrons) or the host/sending library (library staff) to ask if you can have more time. They may or may not be able to accommodate your request depending on future availability.
• Can I borrow a kit that is not currently in use sooner than the booking availability allows?
• Perhaps. There is a built in 7 day lead time for shipping. If you need an available kit sooner than a week, place a request for the earliest day possible and contact your local library (patrons) or host/sending library (library staff) to ask if it can be sent out earlier. They may or may not be able to accommodate your request depending on the van shipment schedule.
• Why are teen/young adult and middle grade titles included in the catalog? Can my adult book club borrow youth kits?
• The READS-to-Go committee assists the Young Adult Library Services of New Hampshire (YALS) and Children's Librarians of New Hampshire (CLNH) sections of the New Hampshire Library Association (NHLA) in facilitating and maintaining entries for their youth book club kits on RTG LibCal.
• Yes! Adult book groups may borrow any of the kits on the site including those containing youth titles.
• What if all the books in a kit are not returned?
• All kits must be returned to the host library by the due date. If missing items are not returned within two weeks of the due date, the host library will bill the borrowing library for the missing items. The borrowing library should contact the host library to notify them if a kit will be returned late.
• What if a copy of a book is lost or damaged?
• If a book is lost or damaged, contact the host/sending library to discuss replacement options. In all cases of lost or missing items, the borrowing library assumes the cost of replacements. (Patron responsibility is left to the discretion of the borrowing library.) The borrowing library should contact the host library to notify them if a kit will be returned late.
• Our kit is missing the discussion questions, sign-out sheet, flyer, etc. What should we do?
• Kit discussion materials may be found on the READS-to-Go website under “Discussion Questions & Templates”. Host libraries should print and laminate the primary copy of discussion questions and sign-out sheet included in the kit folder. Additional copies printed for book club use do not need to be laminated.
• My library no longer wants to be a host, can we ‘weed’ our kit?
• Please contact the READS-to-Go Committee Chair at rtgchair@nhlibrarians.org. Kit copies are purchased by the host library on behalf of READS. If your library no longer wishes to host the kit, then it should be offered back to the READS-to-Go Committee, who may chose to reassign the kit to another host library. If the READS-to-Go Committee no longer wants to maintain the title, the Chair will instruct the host library to dispose of the book copies and send the bag and other materials to the READS-to-Go Committee Chair.
• The kit my library hosts is old and doesn’t circulate much, can we switch it for a new title?
• Please contact the READS-to-Go Committee Chair atrtgchair@nhlibrarians.org. The READS-to-Go Committee will reassess kit titles at the request of a host library. Otherwise, kit circulation is reviewed by the Committee annually. Alternate titles may be offered to those libraries hosting low-circulating kits. If a host library no longer wishes to host a kit, the Chair will instruct the host library to dispose of the book copies and send the bag and other materials to the READS-to-Go Committee Chair.

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