Books & More
Explore the library’s collection of thousands of books, e-books, audiobooks, magazines, movies, music, TV shows, and more! Metuchen Public Library is a member of STELLA – (Sharing & Technology Enhancing Local Library Access), formerly LMxAC. Use your library card to place a hold and request materials from any STELLA member library, then pick up the requested materials at the Metuchen Public Library.
Download the mobile app to your smartphone or tablet. With the app, you can easily manage your library account – view checkouts, renew items, search for items in all STELLA member libraries, and place holds. Plus, you can store a digital copy of your library card, so you’ll always have your library barcode with you!
ELibraryNJ / Libby
You can borrow e-books, digital audiobooks, and magazines using ELibraryNJ, a downloadable digital media collection provided by libraries in central New Jersey. And yes, you can download items to a Kindle!
Libby is the app connected to ELibraryNJ. To get started, download the Libby app on your smartphone or mobile device, or go to the Libby website. (You can also view the collection at ELibraryNJ’s website.)
To access ELibraryNJ or Libby, you will need a valid Metuchen Public Library card and your PIN (assigned when you received your library card).
When you register for the first time, you’ll search for your library. Please select STELLA from the list of libraries. You will not see Metuchen Public Library listed.
If you need help, please call the library at (732) 632-8526, email metuchenpubliclibrary@metuchenlibrary.org, or visit the Libby Help page.
hoopla
Borrow movies, music, audiobooks, ebooks, comics, and TV shows without waiting, and watch them on your phone, tablet, computer, or TV. Hundreds of thousands of titles to choose from! Please use the button below to use Hoopla on your browser, or download the Hoopla app onto your smartphone, tablet, or TV.
Kanopy
Kanopy provides streaming access to thousands of movies, documentaries, foreign and independent films, classic cinema, and educational videos. Kanopy users get 15 “tickets” per month- each title has an assigned number of tickets. To get started, download the app to your smart TV or mobile device, or go to the Kanopy website by clicking on the button below, then enter your library card and PIN… it’s that simple!
Hoopla Digital
Borrow movies, music, audiobooks, ebooks, comics, and TV shows without waiting, and watch them on your phone, tablet, computer, or TV. Hundreds of thousands of titles to choose from!
The New York Times
- Access The New York Times from anywhere
- First-time users will need to create an account or log in with Facebook or Google
- You will have full access to NYTimes.com for 72 hours (3 days)
- After 72 hours, you can do the same process to redeem the code again and log in as an existing user with the same account information
- To start, click on the button below and then click on Redeem
The Wall Street Journal
- Access The Wall Street Journal from anywhere
- First-time users will need to create an account
- You will have full access to WSJ.com for 72 hours (3 days)
- After 72 hours, you can use the same process to log in as an existing user with the same account information
- To start, click on the button below to register or log in
NJ.com
- Access NJ.com from anywhere — unlimited full access
- Also includes digital editions of Star Ledger, Jersey Journal, Times of Trenton, and South Jersey Times
- Sign In using email address and password:
- metuchenpubliclibrary@lmxac.org
- welcome1
The library is pleased to offer free passes to several area museums:
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden
- Children’s Museum of Manhattan
- Frick Collection at Madison
- Guggenheim Museum
- Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
- Morven Museum & Garden
- New York Historical Society
- Newark Museum of Art
And discounts to these when you show your library card:
- Crayola Experience
- Liberty Science Center
Reserving a Pass:
Metuchen Library cardholders: Reserve online and print your pass from home! If you don’t have a printer, come to the library and we’ll be happy to print it for you.
FOTML members who do not live in Metuchen: Please visit the library to reserve and receive your printed pass.
The museum pass lending program is generously funded by the Friends of the Metuchen Library. Please consider joining the Friends to support the museum pass program and other library programs. Please click here to join or donate.
SEEKING VOLUNTEERS FOR SEED-PACKING!
We will be holding several seed-packing work sessions in early 2024. Help the Seed Library, and chat with fellow gardening and plant enthusiasts while you do it! No experience necessary. If possible, please RVSP to Justine at jjohnson@metuchenlibrary.org – but feel free to come even if you don’t RSVP. Upcoming seed-packing dates and times can be found on the library’s Events Calendar.
DONATE SEEDS!
Did you harvest seeds from last year’s crop? Or have leftover packaged seeds that you don’t want? Donate them to the Seed Library! Details are in the FAQ below, and/or pick up a seed donation form at the library near the Seed Library.
ABOUT THE SEED LIBRARY:
The Metuchen Seed Library is a community collaboration between Metuchen Public Library, the Garden Club of Metuchen, and other local volunteer plant enthusiasts, established in January 2023.
We hope the Metuchen Seed Library will help promote self-reliance and sustainability, encourage the sharing of knowledge and resources, support genetic diversity, and restore native plant varieties to Metuchen and the surrounding areas. We also see the Seed Library as a way to reduce hunger and promote nutrition by encouraging all people to grow their own food.
The Metuchen Seed Library is an easy way for community members to donate and receive seeds. The Library will catalog the donated seeds and offer them for free to anyone who wants them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Metuchen Library card to use the seed library?
No, you do not need a library card. However, if you are a Metuchen resident, we encourage you to apply for a free Metuchen Library card.
How do I take seeds?
The Seed Library operates on the honor system. You may open the drawers of the Seed Library and browse what’s available, and/or check the inventory list (linked above). Please record which seed packets you take in the Seed Library Log located near the Seed Library, along with the date, your name, town of residence, and suggestions for future inventory.
How many seed packets can I take?
Please take no more than 5 seed packets each time you visit the Seed Library.
Do I need to donate seeds in order to receive seeds?
No, you are not required to donate seeds. However, we hope you will consider harvesting seeds at the end of the growing season and donating them back to the Seed Library!
Where and how do I donate seeds?
The Seed Library accepts donated seeds that you have saved from flowers, herbs, or vegetables.** We are most interested in native plants, pollinators, and edible plants. Please put the donated seeds in an envelope or package labeled with a seed donation form. Seed donation forms are available near the Seed Library. You will need to provide the following information:
- Your name and either phone # or email
- Plant name & variety (if applicable)
- Year seeds were harvested
- Are the seeds heirloom?
- Are the seeds organic or non-GMO?
**Please note, we cannot accept any of the following:
- Seeds that are more than two years old.
- Treated seeds.
- Hybrid varieties.
- Patented seeds or seeds protected by the Plant Variety Protection Act.
Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) – The library has partnered with the New Jersey State Library Talking Book & Braille Center (TBBC), which serves New Jersey residents of all ages (children, teens and adults) who cannot read standard print or cannot hold a book or turn the pages of a book because of a physical impairment, a reading disability, or a visual impairment. TBBC provides books in Braille and audio formats. Once registered for the program with TBBC, patrons will benefit from these no-cost, home-delivered services:
- Accessible audiobook player
- Audiobooks and audio magazines
- Braille books
- Downloadable audiobooks, audio magazines and Braille files for Braille readers
- BARD Mobile App for mobile devices
- News reading service
The library has full access to the Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) service and can download books and magazines for patrons to use with either the BARD Mobile App or the digital audiobook player provided by TBBC.
The BARD downloading process can be complicated, but the library is here to help! To receive assistance applying for BARD service or downloading materials from BARD, please call Metuchen Public Library or email Justine Johnson at jjohnson@metuchenlibrary.org to make an appointment.