State guide
West Virginia
West Virginia’s state-level library services are now provided by the Library Section of the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture & History, which says it serves 170 public libraries statewide. Its State Library in Charleston offers statewide digital resources, a free State Library card for residents, interlibrary loan support, and a large collection of book discussion kits for libraries around the state.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- State library agency
- Library Section of the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture & History
- Statewide book club kit program
- Yes. The West Virginia State Library Book Discussion Group kits are available for West Virginia public libraries to borrow for book clubs; libraries start by submitting contact information, then email title requests, delivery details, dates, and copy counts.
- Statewide kit catalog
- Official page →
- Interlibrary loan
- The West Virginia ILL Request System lets public libraries in the state borrow materials from other West Virginia public libraries and from the Library Commission by submitting the official ILL request form.
Official resources in West Virginia
Explains the current state library agency, statewide services, State Library cards, book discussion kits, and interlibrary loan.
Official page for the statewide BDG kit program, including eligibility, request steps, loan timing, and returns.
Official overview of how West Virginia public libraries request ILL materials through the state system.
State network catalog residents and library staff can search for holdings, including state library book club titles.
Directory map for finding local public libraries across West Virginia.
Key facts for West Virginia
- The state says the Library Section of the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture & History has helped libraries since 1929.
- The State Library offers free State Library cards to any West Virginia resident.
- The state says it houses over 360 Book Discussion Group Kits for libraries around West Virginia.
- State BDG kits are available for West Virginia public libraries to borrow for book clubs.
- WV public libraries request ILL materials through the West Virginia ILL Request System.
- State BDG kits are scheduled in myTurn, and groups are allotted 30 days' use of materials.
Libraries that lend book club kits in West Virginia
| Library | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia State Library Book Discussion Group Kits Kanawha County | Charleston | 304-558-2045 | State-run book discussion kit collection for West Virginia public libraries; the state says it has more than 360 kits. |
| Brooke County Public Libraries - Book Club Posse Brooke County | Wellsburg | Not published* | Main library promotes its public book club and directs users to the club information through its website. |
| Center Point Public Library Doddridge County | Salem | 304-782-2461 | Lists both Book Club programming and Inter-Library Loans among its services. |
| Bridgeport Public Library - Book Club Kit Procedure Harrison County | Bridgeport | Not published* | Official page for that library's book club kit checkout procedure was found, but the site did not expose a phone number in accessible text. |
* 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 public library to borrow a West Virginia State Library BDG kit for your group rather than contacting the state as an individual borrower.
- When requesting WV BDG kits, send several alternate titles and your library delivery location to improve your chances.
- Use the West Virginia Library Network catalog to confirm title details, then work with your public library on BDG or ILL requests.
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 West Virginia, 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 West Virginia's population center, for comparison only):
- Greenup County Public Library events, Kentucky · about 126 miles
- Columbus Metropolitan Library — Whitehall Book Club, Ohio · about 150 miles
- Fairfax County Public Library Book Clubs, Virginia · about 179 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office. They have the current local rule, fee and form.West Virginia Library Section - Who We Are
Website →Phone: (800) 642-9021 (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 West Virginia 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