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Home Borrowing
Home Borrowing is for anyone residing in Somerset County who is facing a difficulty in visiting the library in person. Any customer having a health, mobility, transportation, age related, vision, disability, or other incapacity that is acting as a barrier to visiting the library can receive Home Borrowing.
If you are having trouble visiting the library, please contact the Home Borrowing office for help.
A number of different ways:
- By Mail: Materials are sent by the library to you via USPS, and you return them the same way. All postage is paid by the Library.
- On a smartphone, tablet, or computer: Home Borrowing will help you get set up with Libby and our other digital platforms.
- Friends and Family Pick up: Materials are picked up by a designated person similar to a Hands-Free Hold
- Facility Delivery: For customers who live in a residential facility with essential support staff (such as an assisted living facility, a group home, or similar), the Library may coordinate with facility personnel to deliver materials similarly to By Mail.
- Please note: library staff cannot deliver materials directly to private residences.
Please note, Home Borrowing customers cannot receive electronic devices (such as Playaways, Launchpads, or Mobile Hotspots) or Inter Library Loans through the mail, nor can these items be returned to the library by mail.
In addition, some customers may be eligible to receive materials from New Jersey State Library’s Talking Book and Braille center. Please ask for more information.
Home Borrowing customers have the same limits on material as customers who can visit us in person for the maximum number of each item they can borrow.
Home Borrowing customers receiving service types ‘By Mail’ or ‘Facility Delivery’ receive packages of materials, on average, 1-2 times a month, some more, some less, depending on their own reading or viewing habits. Each package holds up to 6 regular hard bound books, up to 10 picture books, or up to 12 DVDs, for reference. Materials can be mailed to card holders residing in Somerset County.
Email communityborrowing@sclibnj.org. The Outreach Librarian can visit your facility in person to sign up residents, train staff on how to help your residents with library tools, and organize the best way for residents to receive material. Programming for residents can be arranged as well!
Customers are onboarded on a permanent or temporary basis, based on their particular difficulty. The most common reasons for using Home Borrowing on a temporary basis are recovering from a major medical event such as surgery, childbirth, or rehab from an injury.
Yes! If you are able to visit our library branches in person, please do. Visiting the library in person as a Home Borrowing customer does not change your Home Borrower status, nor does borrowing materials when you visit. However, please note that your holds may not be available when visiting depending on how you receive materials.
If you find that you are able to visit the library regularly again, and no longer need the Home Borrowing, please contact the Home Borrowing team to update your account.
Please contact the Home Borrowing team! We can discuss what options you may have available if you are not eligible for service.
Can’t get to the library? Home Borrowing may be able to help.
- Home Borrowing is for all customers residing in Somerset County and facing a health, mobility, transportation, vision, disability, or other incapacity that prevents them from visiting the library, regardless of age.
- Home Borrowing can be used as long as needed, on a short term, long term, or permanent basis. Rolling an ankle, welcoming a new baby, or no longer driving are all equally welcome.
- Home Borrowing is more than Library by Mail! Our staff can help you (or your designated friends and family) select material, troubleshoot Libby and other apps, and connect you with other library resources.
How to Apply
To apply for Home Borrowing Services by mail or learn more about friends and family pickup, click on the button below to complete the application online.
CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE HOME BORROWING SERVICE APPLICATION ONLINE
Prefer to complete the application on paper? Choose from the options below:
Click here to download and print the application. Return it by mail to the address below.
Home Borrowing Services
Somerset County Library System
PO Box 6700
Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Contact Home Borrowing staff to request a paper application be mailed to your home. You can reach us by emailing homeborrowing@sclibnj.org or calling (908) 458-4938.