Book Sets

dlr Libraries has over 300 sets of books for schools, reading groups and book clubs. They have been divided into a Primary and Secondary School classroom sets list and an Adult book club sets list. 

We also have a Wordless Picture Books Collection available, which are books that can be understood and enjoyed by children regardless of language.

Each list includes a short description of the books.

Adult book club sets

The Adult list consists of books which are catalogued as adult and chosen for Adult Book Clubs and reading groups. We have close to 2000 items in the collection (as of August 2018)
To enquire about availability of any of our sets, or to reserve them, please contact your local library or email librarybib@dlrcoco.ie.

Adult book club sets FAQs

1. What is a book club set?
   A Book Club Set consists of multiple copies of a book (up to 20), for use by book clubs and book discussion groups.
2. What titles are available as book club sets?
   See the full list of available Book Club Sets below.
3. Who can check out book club sets?
   Book Club Sets can be borrowed by any book club based in the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown area. Members of the club can check out a single copy or several copies of a title for distribution to club members.
4. Who is responsible for returning books in a book club set?
   The person who checks out the book or books in the Book Club Set is responsible for returning the book(s).
5. Where can I pick up book club sets?
   Book Club Sets may be picked up at any dlr library. Find your local library here.
6. Where can I return book club sets?
   Book Club Sets can be returned to any dlr library.
7. Can I reserve book club sets in advance?
   It is not possible for customers to place holds on Book Club Sets on their own through the library catalogue. Please email librarybib@dlrcoco.ie to request a book club set.
8. How long can my book club keep the books in the book club set?
   Book Club Set copies are issued for eight weeks.
9. Can we renew books in a book club set?
   No. Please return the book club set in order to ensure that the set is available for use by other book clubs.

Classroom Sets

We have over 6,000 items in our dlr classroom set collection. The sets are of varying sizes, from 10 to 30 copies, some suitable for primary school classes, some for smaller secondary school groups. Sets may be borrowed for 3 months at a time. Teachers who wish to borrow classroom sets must have a Block Loan card from their local library. To obtain one of these you must present proof of address (a current utility bill, etc.) and a letter from your school principal stating that you are employed there. You may collect the books from the branch library of your choice.

Each book is accompanied by a short description and a recommended reading age. Please note that the recommended reading age is advisory only, many titles may suit slightly younger or older age groups than the one given.

Did you know we have a teacher's area on our website? Please click here.

Wordless Picture Books Collection

Wordless picture books, also known as silent books, are books that can be understood and enjoyed by children regardless of language.

The collection was inspired by The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) which launched the project “Silent Books, from the world to Lampedusa and back” in 2012. This was in response to the waves of refugees from Africa and the Middle East arriving in the Italian island, Lampedusa. The project involved creating the first library on Lampedusa to be used by local and immigrant children and the collection included over one hundred books from over twenty countries.

There are, to date, five collections of Silent Books and dlr Libraries has a selection of those books available to borrow from your local branch.