1. To place a hold search the library catalog for the title you wish to reserve. Many titles come in different formats (book, CD audio book, DVD, etc). Find the format you wish to place on hold and click on the “place a hold” icon.
2. Fill out the request form by entering your barcode number (you must have a valid Library card) and PIN (Personal Identification Number). Need a pin number? click here
3. Select the the location where you would like to pick up your reserved item. Click on "Submit." If the request is processed you will see the message “Your request for………was successful”.
4. You will be notified by an automated phone message or email message when your item is available for pickup. Reserved items must be picked up within 6 business days of arrival at the pick up branch. After 6 business days the item(s) will be returned to the collection, or passed on to the next person on the hold list.
Other options:
My List
As you search our catalog and see titles that you would like to request place them in the My List (the shopping cart icon next to the title). When you are finished searching, click on the “View Saved” icon at the top of your screen. You will now be given a choice to request all your items simultaneously or save your list to a disk.
What does “freeze” mean?
“Freezing” is an option available in your library record. “Freezing” a hold allows you to keep your place in line while waiting for a book. For example, you know you are going to be out of town next week, but you are number 2 on the holds list. You’ve been waiting for a particular title for a long time and it looks like the book you’ve been waiting for will come in while you’re away. “Freezing” keeps your place in line until you’re ready to unfreeze the hold. When you unfreeze your hold, you’ll still be number 2 in line. This is the same idea as letting people go in front of you in line at the store.
Placing multiple holds
Once you hit the place hold button and type in your barcode and PIN, you are logged into your account and can continue to place holds. When you are finished, please remember to log out.
You may already have a PIN number. Try entering the last four digits of your phone number as your PIN number. If this doesn’t work, please read the FAQ about Somerset County Library System PIN numbers (click here for a visual example of resetting your PIN number). If you need further assistance please call, email, or visit the library and we will be happy to assign you a PIN number.
From the home page, click on “View my library record” Then, enter the barcode number from the back of your library card (no spaces) and your PIN number . Once you are in your record, you will see a list of items you have checked out. Once your list is displayed, you can click the button above the list to "Renew All", or check the items you want to renew, then click the "Renew Selected" button.
When you are looking for a particular item and you need to decipher the location code…
BB=Bound Brook
BW= Bridgewater
HL=Hillsborough
MJ=Mary Jacobs
NP= North Plainfield
PG=Peapack Gladstone
WT=Warren Township
WG=Watchung
WV=Washington Valley Station (items are not reservable)
BG=Branchburg Station (items are not reservable)
Click on “Branch Locations” from the home page. If you have questions please call or email us.
1. If we do not have the item you are searching for it is possible for us to complete an Interlibrary Loan Form Online. The Interlibrary Loan System obtains items from a library outside of the Somerset County Library System. This process can take about three weeks, and is dependent on whether another library is willing to lend us the material. Please call, email, or visit us and we can fill out a request for Interlibrary Loan Service. There is normally no fee for this procedure.
2. A second option is a request for purchase. With this procedure the librarian determines if he or she has enough funds or demand for an item. If we decide to purchase the item you will be notified when it arrives. When we place an order, the request must go through many channels; request process, publisher order, waiting for it to be delivered, cataloging, and other technical services. This procedure can take up to two months.
From the home page, go to “Online Resources” and then click on “Find Articles”. Once you have selected a database you will need to enter a valid library card number.
Volunteer opportunities can be determined by calling each library individually. We have volunteer programs for teenagers and adults.
Each branch has slightly different hours. Please refer to the “About Us” then “Branches” link on the homepage.
Fines are ten cents ($.10) per day with the following exceptions:
Twenty-five cents ($.25 per day) for Interlibrary Loan books and overnight Reference Materials.
- One dollar ($1.00) per day for videocassettes, DVDs and audiovisual equipment.
- Two dollars ($2.00 per day) for Story time Theme Kits
The Somerset County Library System offers Internet Access and Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, etc). In order to allow patrons an equal opportunity to use our Internet workstations, Branches may choose to limit all Internet access to one hour per day per patron.
The Somerset County Library System offers free wireless Internet access at all the library branches.
There is no time limit on using this service and a password is not required; patrons simply launch a Web browser to establish a connection. Printing is not available via the wireless connection. Files must be saved to a disk or users may email a copy to their web-based email and then print them by accessing their file on a library computer. Click here for directions to use the wireless access.
You can call us during our business hours, or send us an email at any time. We do our best to answer emails promptly. Also, did you know that as a New Jersey resident you have access 24 hours 7 days a week to a live reference librarian? Q and A NJ is a free service for New Jersey residents, or go to QandANJ.com to chat with a reference librarian.
The State Library in Trenton, Rutgers in New Brunswick, the New Jersey Historical Society, and Newark Public Library are excellent places to conduct NJ historical research. We have some information on Somerset County at our library. Call, email, or come in and we will try to help you. Also, click on our Online Resources, Selected Websites, Genealogy for more information and links.
The library offers a number of free computer classes. We offer classes on how to use the mouse, beginning and intermediate Internet, navigating online databases, and various others. Call for more details. We also offer book talks, lectures, and other programs. Check our calendar for more information. Click on the programs link at the top of any page.
There are two possible reasons why you are unable to view our databases from home:
Somerset County Library System, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
908-526-4016
Last Update:02/15/2010