State guide
Georgia
Georgia’s state library administrative agency is Georgia Public Library Service, a unit of the Board of Regents, University System of Georgia. For patrons, the most important statewide sharing network is PINES, which lets residents borrow from a shared collection and have materials delivered to their home libraries.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- State library agency
- Georgia Public Library Service
- Statewide book club kit program
- GPLS offers a statewide Flannery O’Connor Book Club & Exhibit kit for Georgia public libraries; libraries request the kit from GPLS, host it for one month, and may let participating patrons use the included books.
- Statewide kit catalog
- Official page →
- Interlibrary loan
- For most public library users, statewide borrowing runs through PINES, which lets cardholders place holds from the shared collection and have items delivered to their home libraries free of charge.
Official resources in Georgia
Official overview of the state library administrative agency and its statewide role.
Explains PINES, GALILEO, accessibility services, and other statewide library programs.
GPLS overview of statewide physical and digital resource sharing services.
Official statewide directory for Georgia public libraries.
Official guide for library staff that includes the Flannery O’Connor Book Club & Exhibit kit details.
Key facts for Georgia
- Georgia Public Library Service is the state library administrative agency and a unit of the Board of Regents, University System of Georgia.
- PINES serves patrons in all 159 Georgia counties.
- PINES cardholders have access to a shared collection of more than 11 million materials.
- PINES materials can be delivered to the patron’s home library free of charge.
- GPLS offers a Flannery O’Connor Book Club & Exhibit kit for Georgia libraries with 10 copies of a selected title and a one-month host period.
Libraries that lend book club kits in Georgia
| Library | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cobb County Public Library - Book Clubs and Book Club Kits Cobb | Marietta | (770) 528-2326 | Official Cobb page says kits are free, typically include 12 copies plus discussion materials, may be reserved up to 6 months ahead, and are picked up and returned at local branches. |
| Athens Regional Library System - Virtual Book Club | Athens | 706-613-3650 | Official ARLS page promotes a system book club program and links readers to reserve the title through PINES or Libby. |
| Forsyth County Public Library - Adults Book Clubs Forsyth | Cumming | Not published* | Official FCPL page lists multiple adult book clubs, including mystery, true crime, speculative fiction, and general discussion groups at different branches. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- Ask your local library whether it is a PINES member, then place holds for shared materials to be delivered to your home branch.
- If your library wants the Flannery O’Connor Book Club & Exhibit kit, have library staff request it through GPLS rather than expecting direct patron checkout.
- If a title is outside the PINES collection, ask your local system whether it also offers a separate interlibrary loan service beyond PINES.
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 Georgia, 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 Georgia's population center, for comparison only):
- Pickens County Library System Book Club in a Bag, South Carolina · about 123 miles
- Greenville County Library System Book Clubs Events, South Carolina · about 132 miles
- Chattanooga Public Library — Book Club in a Bag, Tennessee · about 138 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office. They have the current local rule, fee and form.About Georgia Public Library Service
Website →Phone: (404) 235-7200 (as listed on that page, checked Oct 4, 2026)Your city or county office: Local governments →Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Georgia 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