State guide
Mississippi
Mississippi’s state library agency offers a statewide Book Club in a Box service through its special collections, and the same agency also supports statewide resource sharing through the Beehive system. Several local public library systems also run their own public book clubs, including systems on the Gulf Coast and in Jones and Carroll counties.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- State library agency
- Mississippi Library Commission
- Statewide book club kit program
- Mississippi Library Commission offers Book Club in a Box Kits to libraries, schools, or book club groups for a three-month loan; the group or library needs an Institution Card and borrowing is arranged through Special Collections.
- Statewide kit catalog
- Official page →
- Interlibrary loan
- MLC says interlibrary loan is available to its patrons, and its Beehive Resource Sharing system provides a single point of access to participating Mississippi public library catalogs.
Official resources in Mississippi
Explains MLC’s Book Club in a Box Kits and gives the contact for borrowing special collections items.
Official title list and borrowing terms for MLC adult Book Club in a Box Kits.
Explains the Resource Library Catalog and Beehive Resource Sharing system for participating Mississippi public library catalogs.
Explains MLC card eligibility for residents and notes that interlibrary loan is available to MLC patrons.
A clear example of how local ILL requests work for Mississippi public library cardholders.
Key facts for Mississippi
- MLC Book Club in a Box Kits include ten copies of the same book plus discussion questions.
- Libraries, schools, or book club groups can borrow MLC book club kits for a three-month period.
- MLC says residents age 18 and older in good standing with their local public library can get an MLC card.
- The Beehive Resource Sharing system provides a single point of access to participating Mississippi public library catalogs.
- Harrison County Library System says any current borrower in good standing can use its ILL service at no cost.
Libraries that lend book club kits in Mississippi
| Library | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laurel-Jones County Library - Bookworms / Books & Brew Jones County | Laurel | 601-428-4313 | Runs multiple adult book clubs; the Laurel group is listed monthly and the Ellisville group notes up to 10 checkout copies for the month’s title. |
| Harrison County Library System - Better Read Than Dead Book Club Harrison County | Gulfport | Not published* | System calendar lists recurring public book clubs, including Better Read Than Dead at Orange Grove Public Library and other branch groups. |
| Carroll County Public Library System - Carrollton North Carrollton Library Book Club Carroll County | Carrollton | Not published* | The system says the Carrollton North Carrollton Library book club meets every other month at 4 pm. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- If you want MLC book club kits, first make sure your group or library has an MLC Institution Card.
- Use the Beehive link from MLC when a title is not in your local catalog.
- If you need a local in-person group, check nearby library calendars because several Mississippi systems list recurring book clubs online.
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 Mississippi, 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 Mississippi's population center, for comparison only):
- Parkway Branch Library, Mobile Public Libraries, Alabama · about 157 miles
- East Baton Rouge Parish Library Book Clubs & Reading Groups, Louisiana · about 173 miles
- Birmingham Public Library Best Sellers Club, Alabama · about 174 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office. They have the current local rule, fee and form.Mississippi Library Commission - Book and STEM Kits
Website →Phone: (601) 432-4498 (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 Mississippi 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