We are so glad to see our patrons in person again, to borrow materials and use our technology. We know things are different, and we appreciate everyone's willingness to work together to create a Library experience that is rewarding and safe for everyone. We will get through this!
Curbside Pickup Procedures
To use curbside service, place your requests through your online borrower's account or by telephoning the Library during open hours. We strongly encourage you to place requests online. If you do not know your account password, call the Library and we can assist you.
Once your request is placed, a Library staff member will call you to arrange a pick up time.
Pickup times:
Because of limited staffing, curbside service will be available for the following time periods only:
Monday - Friday: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm.
Please call 908-454-3712 immediately before your arrival, so the staff can be ready to serve you. If you are driving, please let us know the make, model and color of your car.
Procedures for drivers:
If you plan on driving to the Library, pull up to the front sidewalk after having called or texted the Library to announce your arrival. Open your trunk and get back inside your car. A Library employee will place a plastic bag with your items inside your trunk. Once the employee returns inside the Library, you may close your trunk and drive away. The books will already be checked out to you.
Procedures for walkers and users of public transit:
Call or text the Library immediately before your arrival. Just before you arrive, a Library employee will put your materials in a plastic bag on the bench just outside the front door. The bag will be labeled with your surname or with the last four digits of your Library card number, whichever you prefer. They will already be checked out to you.
Borrowing limits
Because of staffing limitations, patrons will be limited to requesting 10 books, 10 audio books, and 5 DVDs per visit. These limits are per card, not per household. Our online catalog does not automatically block excess requests, but if you do submit more than the per-visit maximum, we will retrieve first 10 and print out the titles that we could not retrieve.
Picking up material for another person
If you will be picking up materials for someone in your household with a different Library card number, have that person let us know ahead of time. We will put a flag on their account noting that they have given permission for their Library material to be picked up by a third party.
Computer Use Procedures
On Monday, July 27, we will begin opening the Library for limited research and computer use by appointment only. Pick up of materials for borrowing will still be curbside only. Properly worn face masks are required to enter the building. If you need to consult a reference book, ask a staff member for help.
We are currently operating with minimal staffing. Once we are able to invite back our furloughed staff members, we will be able to expand our in-library services and hours. Thank you for your understanding.
Computer use will be limited, and we may adjust our schedules and procedures as circumstances require.
Computers may be reserved up to a week in advance for a maximum of one hour per session. You may only have one pending reservation at a time, but Library members may make another reservation once their first has been fulfilled. Non-cardholders may reserve a maximum of one hour per week. The one-hour limit will be strictly enforced for both Library members and non-members. If you are late for your reserved session, your end time will not be extended.
Call the Library at 908-454-3712 to reserve a computer. Have your library card ready, as we will ask for your card number when you place your reservation.
You will be required to present your library card and/or ID with name and address in order to fulfill your reservation. No exceptions.
Computer reservation times are:
Monday through Friday, 10 am – 11 am and 2 pm – 3 pm
Phillipsburg Free Public Library 200 Broubalow Way Phillipsburg, New Jersey 08865 908-454-3712http://www.pburglib.org/