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Readers Groups have tended to begin with about 5 or 6 members, so we have been able to manage with library stock, but as groups have grown in size, this has not always been possible - several solutions have been found.
Barnsley Libraries have “bought into” the Harper Collins Book of the Month scheme, whereby 18 copies of a title are circulated to all service points - after this, they are available for use with Readers Groups. 

The Richard and Judy Book Club titles are also bought in multiples, so they can be accessed by groups. It has also been a big help when Readers Groups are successful with grant funding applications, as they then buy multiple copies of titles- usually no more than 20 copies - and after the “home” group has read them, the books are available for use by the other groups. They also make a point of buying talking books and large print books, though only in single copies . All Readers Groups have lists of titles which are available, this also helps to avoid unnecessary duplication when spending grants. 

Titles chosen for purchase are discussed within each individual group. The members also take into account newspaper reviews, reader recommendations, prize winning authors, debut writers, recommendations from other Readers Groups. Purchasing is done in some cases online by group leaders, some groups take their members to a local bookshop to select books.

As further grant applications are made by different Readers Groups, more stock will become available to use.
One stipulation made by most grant funders is that any titles bought must be used only by Readers Groups for a minimum of 2 years, after which date they may be used by a wider audience.

There are several possibilities here- the books could be transferred to library stock, or form a circulating display, or be made available for use by non-library based Readers Groups. The latter possibility is to be explored further in the future.