Why is there now an annual fee for book clubs?
Previously, the library fully covered the cost of running the book club collection. Over time, demand for book sets has grown and the cost of purchasing and maintaining multiple copies has increased.
The annual fee helps us both sustain and protect the program, ensuring we can continue offering a wide range of new and fresh titles and reliable access for all groups each year.
What does the annual fee cover?
The fee contributes to:
- Purchasing multiple copies of popular and new titles on a more regular basis.
- Replacing worn or lost items
- Managing reservations and circulation of book sets
- Maintaining and growing the overall collection
This allows us to continue providing a dedicated, high-quality service for book clubs.
How much is the fee?
The annual fee is $150 per book club.
For new Book Clubs that join the program at the mid-point of the financial year they will pay a fee of $75 for the January to June 2027 period, then the full annual payment from July 2027 onwards.
The annual fee has been approved by Council for their 2026-2027 annual budget.
When and how will we need to pay?
Book Club coordinators will be contacted by their regular book club contact in June to provide further information on payment of the annual fee and when. Payments will not need to be paid until after 1 July 2026 and there will likely be a two-month timeframe for payment to be made.
Why wasn’t there a fee before?
In the past, the library absorbed all program costs within its general budget. As the program has grown and costs have increased, this model is no longer sustainable at the same level.
Rather than reducing the number of titles or limiting access, we’ve introduced a modest fee to help maintain and grow the service. Since the closure of the Council of Adult Education (CAE) book club program we have seen increased demand for participation in our Book Club program which we currently can’t support.
Why is there a fee for book clubs but not for other library programs?
Most library programs (such as events, workshops, and storytimes) are designed for one-time or short-term participation and are funded as part of the library’s general programming budget.
The book club collection is different—it’s an ongoing, year-round service that requires:
- Purchasing and maintaining multiple copies of the same title on a regular basis
- Replacing entire sets as they wear out
- Managing reservations and logistics across many groups
Because of these higher, continuous costs, a small annual fee will help ensure the service remains sustainable and available to all book clubs, without reducing the number of titles or access.
Library membership and the majority of programs remain free, and individuals can still borrow books at no cost from the general collection.
Is the library making a profit from this fee?
No. The fee is designed to support the ongoing costs of the book club collection. It is not a profit-making initiative—funds are reinvested directly into maintaining and improving the service and are for the Book Club program only.
What value does the program offer?
Book clubs have access to:
- Multiple copies of selected titles for group use
- A curated and regularly updated collection
- Convenient reservations and access through the library
- Cost savings compared to purchasing individual books
For most members, the cost per book across the year is very low.
Can we still borrow books individually without paying the fee?
Yes. Library membership remains free, and individuals can continue to borrow items from the general collection at no cost. The annual fee applies specifically to participation in the Monash Libraries book club program, which provides multiple copies of the same title for group use.