Support
Our public library is a treasure trove of knowledge, a hub for community activities, and a place where everyone is welcome. It’s a resource that enriches lives, sparks imagination, and fosters learning.
But to keep our library thriving, we need your support!
Please explore the options below where you can create a meaningful impact.
The Friends of the Metuchen Library (“FOTML”) is a non-profit corporation that supports programming and acquisitions at the Metuchen Library, and works to interest the public in library holdings and programming. FOTML is a 501(c)3 corporation, able to raise money and make purchases. The Friends work closely with the Metuchen Public Library to help the library offer enhanced programming and materials to patrons. Their objective is to foster interest in the Metuchen Public Library by sponsoring programs and cultural activities, by providing financial support beyond the set budget established by the Metuchen Borough Council, and by assisting in other ways decided on by FOTML or at the request of the Board of Trustees of the Library.
The Friends of the Metuchen Library host many popular fundraising events throughout the year, including the Annual Book Sale held in October, and the Metuchen Town-Wide Garage Sale held in the spring.
The library is very grateful for the Friends’ annual gift to the library, which has allowed the library to pay for many programs, resources and services throughout the years!
Become a Friend today!
Support the Library – Make a difference in the community!
Monetary Donations
Make a tax-deductible donation to the Friends of the Metuchen Library today!
The Friends of the Metuchen Library was initially a club in the late 1970s, but incorporated in 1987 under the definition of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. This has allowed the Friends of the Metuchen Library to be a powerhouse of fundraising nearly unsurpassed in Middlesex County. They have given the Library over $300,000 since their incorporation.
Please read our Donation Policy and complete the Donation Form below and return it to the Metuchen Library.
The Metuchen Public Library also welcomes donations and gifts from individuals, businesses, corporations, and other community organizations. Any donations, bequests or gifts accepted by the library will be used in accordance with the library’s mission and policies.
Books and Media Donations
The Friends of the Metuchen Library accepts donations for the year-round library book sale and the annual sale that usually takes place on the first Saturday of October.
Accepted materials are books, DVDs, and CDs in clean and usable condition. DVDs and CDs must be in original cases. Books with stains, water damage, mold, yellowing pages, mildew, dusty, musty smell, pages ripped, missing, falling out, or taped are not accepted.
The following materials are NOT accepted:
- Textbooks (more than 1 year old)
- Health books (more than 5 years old)
- Travel books (more than 5 years old)
- Computer books (more than 1 year old)
- Magazines
- Reader’s Digest condensed books
- Vinyl records
- Encyclopedias
- Audiocassettes
- VHS
- National Geographic Books and Maps
If you live in Metuchen, the library may have volunteer opportunities available. Please read the volunteer policy, then complete the adult volunteer application form.
If you need more information, please email Justine at jjohnson@metuchenlibrary.org.
Adult Volunteer Application Form
Get involved with the library! Teens can volunteer as members of our active Teen Advisory Board (TAB), or as Summer Library Volunteers.
TAB is open to Metuchen residents grades 6–12 and has a 15-hour service minimum for the year. We have one meeting a month, and additional Committee Meetings as needed. Members of TAB will work to plan, coordinate, and lead library events and will help decide what events and features they want to see at the library. They will volunteer at annual events like Makers Day or the Lunar New Year Festival, and comprise our Homework Buddies Service. But our most important philosophy at TAB is to enjoy hanging out and make sure we have as many ice cream parties as possible!
Summer Volunteering is open to all teens grades 9–12 and has no minimum hour requirement. No experience is required for Summer Volunteering. Teens will learn about our library and help with organization and more! Under the Teen Services Librarian, volunteers will work independently and in groups to learn how the library works, including how we process a book, how we shelve it, and how we locate it. Volunteers can also help create displays, write book reviews, and decorate the teen space. The application will always go up on the second Wednesday of June at 12pm. Volunteering will always begin in July and end in August.
School-year Volunteering is available to teens grades 9–12 who have volunteered consistently for one Summer Session, are active members of TAB, and/or who have significant prior library experience. The Teen Librarian takes no more than 5 committed volunteers at the beginning of the school year, pending the review of their in-person application. These volunteers are dedicated, detail-oriented, and capable of learning more complicated elements of library work.
If you need more information, please email Jules at jrichards@metuchenlibrary.org
Application for the 2025-26 school year will be available in August!