Library Services

The Library participates in programs that allow patrons access to the resources of many libraries throughout the county, state, nation, and even overseas. Your library card may be used directly at all public libraries in Morris County, the County College of Morris Learning Resources Center, and the public libraries in Bernard's Township, Berkeley Heights, New Providence, and Summit.

The Circulating Collection consists of over 140,000 volumes. The Library is automated through the Morris Automated Information Network (MAIN). This system gives patrons direct access to the collections of the 36 libraries in Morris County which participate in this program. MAIN also cooperates in the Open Borrowing program, a reciprocal borrowing program for walk-in patrons established among the four major library cooperatives of Northern New Jersey. Access is provided through On-line Public Access Catalog (OPAC), a user friendly automated system that patrons use to determine the status and location of titles they want. Circulation of materials is handled by the Circulation Department which registers patrons, checks out materials, and handles returns.

The Foreign Language Materials Collection has books in Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish. These books are located in the Reference Department. For a listing of Russian titles click here: Russian Books.

The Periodicals and Audio Visual Collection contains over 350 subscriptions to current periodicals as well as long runs of back issues on microforms. Audio and video cassettes, books on tape, DVD's, and CD recordings are all available for patron borrowing.

The Reference Collection contains more than 10,000 titles and serves the information needs of business people, students, consumers, and the general public. Reference librarians are available to help patrons whenever the library is open. OPAC terminals are located in the Reference Room, the Children's Room, and the Periodicals Room on the first floor. On the second floor terminals are in Local History and the 600's - 800's stack area.

The Children's Department contains over 20,000 items especially selected for their appeal to young patrons. This specialized collection includes records, video and audio cassettes, puzzles, and, of course, books. Special programs, including story hours, book clubs, films, and crafts, are presented throughout the year. Notices of special programs are posted throughout the Library.

The North Jersey History and Genealogy Center is one of the best in the state. Over 25,000 titles concerned with local history and genealogy of New Jersey are housed in this department. Many maps, atlases, microforms, periodicals, and original manuscripts are used by patrons interested in local history or specific genealogical tasks.

Access to the Library's special collections is through the Local History department. Knowledgeable and specially skilled Local History librarians are available to help patrons. The May Leonard Historical Children's Collection is part of the Library's special collections and is housed in the Treasure Room. Items in special collections must be used in the Library: they do not circulate.