State guide
Alabama
Alabama’s state library agency directly supports local public libraries and also runs a statewide book club set program for public libraries. Residents can search the state catalog and work through their local public library when they need a title from the Alabama Public Library Service.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- State library agency
- Alabama Public Library Service
- Statewide book club kit program
- APLS has 140 book club sets available to check out to Alabama public libraries for three-month loans; only one set may be checked out to a library at a time.
- Statewide kit catalog
- Official page →
- Interlibrary loan
- Residents can search the APLS catalog and ask their public library to request a book through APLS interlibrary loan; APLS sends the title to the public library for pickup.
Official resources in Alabama
State agency homepage for Alabama public library support, services, and contacts.
Official resource page listing statewide book club, catalog, and interlibrary loan tools.
Search the Alabama Public Library Service catalog and learn how to request items through your public library.
Use this APLS page to locate a public library in Alabama.
Key facts for Alabama
- APLS says it serves more than 220 public libraries in all 67 Alabama counties.
- APLS has 140 book club sets available to check out to Alabama public libraries.
- APLS book club sets loan for three months, and only one set may be checked out to a library at a time.
- APLS says residents should ask their public library to request titles through APLS interlibrary loan.
- Huntsville-Madison County Public Library lists multiple book clubs at its Madison Public Library branch.
- Montgomery City Public Library’s calendar lists ABC Book Club and Introvert Book Club.
Libraries that lend book club kits in Alabama
| Library | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison Public Library Madison County | Madison | 256-461-0046 | This branch lists several public book clubs, including Bring Your Own Book, High Octane, Mystery, Mirth, & Mayhem, and Next Chapter Book Club. |
| Montgomery City Public Library Montgomery County | Montgomery | Not published* | The events calendar lists public book clubs including ABC Book Club and Introvert Book Club. |
| Parkway Branch Library, Mobile Public Libraries Mobile County | Mobile | (251) 494-4454 | This branch hosts the Tea and Talk Book Club; the event page says participants should borrow a copy from a Mobile Public Library location before discussion. |
| Birmingham Public Library Best Sellers Club Jefferson County | Birmingham | 205-226-3712 | This program lets patrons sign up to have new books by selected bestselling authors placed on hold for pickup at a preferred JCLC library. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- Search the APLS catalog first, then ask your local public library to place the interlibrary loan request.
- If your local library runs book clubs, check its events or branch page before buying copies for a group.
- If you are organizing a club through a public library, ask whether the library can borrow an APLS book club set for your meeting schedule.
Not seeing your library or county?
We list a library only when an official government page publishes its rules. If yours isn't in the table above, it may not publish them online yet. Here's what to use instead, in order:
- General Start with the statewide information above. It applies across Alabama, but cities and counties can add their own steps, fees or deadlines.
- Closest verified Nearest places where we have verified local data outside this state (distance from Alabama's population center, for comparison only):
- Cobb County Public Library - Book Clubs and Book Club Kits, Georgia · about 143 miles
- Chattanooga Public Library — Book Club in a Bag, Tennessee · about 165 miles
- Athens Regional Library System - Virtual Book Club, Georgia · about 167 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office. They have the current local rule, fee and form.Alabama Public Library Service
Website →Phone: (334) 213-3900 (as listed on that page, checked Oct 4, 2026)Your city or county office: Alabama local governments →Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Alabama page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us and include a link to the official page. We check every tip before it goes up.
Helpful guides
- What is a library book club kit?
- How to borrow a book club kit from your library
- How to start a book club at your library
- Using interlibrary loan for your book club