Borrowing, Renewals, Returns & Fees

You can renew items in-person, through the online catalog or the STELLA app, or by phone at (732) 632-8526. An item can only be renewed if there are no hold requests on it.

You can return all items except mobile hotspots through the book return slot, available 24/7, located to the right of the rear entrance doors, where the parking lot is located. There is no return slot at the front entrance.

Mobile hotspots must be returned to the Library’s main desk during open hours.

Metuchen Public Library is a member library of the Sharing & Technology Enhancing Local Library Access (STELLA), a non-profit membership organization which provides a full range of library automation services to its member libraries since 1986. You may use your library card to borrow and request materials from any STELLA member library.

List of STELLA member libraries

In addition, STELLA member libraries participate in Open Borrowing, a reciprocal borrowing program among more than 150 public libraries in northern New Jersey. Some libraries may have their own borrowing restrictions and requirements. The participating libraries of Open Borrowing are:

• STELLA (Sharing & Technology Enhancing Local Library Access), formerly LMxAC
• M.A.I.N. (Morris Automated Information Network)
• PALS Plus (Passaic County Library System)
• HCL (Hunterdon County Libraries)
• SWELL (Sussex Warren Electronic Lending Libraries)

For more information about Open Borrowing, visit https://lmxac.org/services/open-borrowing/.

You can request most library materials within STELLA through the online catalog or the STELLA app. Some restrictions may be applied by the lending libraries for reciprocal borrowing. You will need a valid library card to place a hold. When your hold request is available to be picked up, you will be notified via email or phone (depending on what you selected at registration).

If an item you would like is not available within STELLA, you may request it through Interlibrary Loan (ILL) at the main service desk. ILL requests can be placed by Metuchen Library cardholders only, and there is no guarantee of availability.

Loan periods, renewal limits, and fines are listed below. Please view the Metuchen Library Fines and Fees Policy for additional details.

Library items can be renewed via the STELLA app, by phone at 732-632-8526, or at https://met.search.stellanj.org/. Fines can be paid in-person at the library (cash or check only) or online with SMART PAY.

List updated on 07/09/2018