Home Borrowers Service

Volunteer-Based Library Delivery to Homes

Do you love to read, but are unable to come into the physical library? The Library can come to you. A smiling volunteer will pick up and drop off library materials to you! This is a free service to Ocean County residents who are homebound due to an illness or disability.

Volunteers are background checked and trained. They are matched with customers who live in their community. Once assigned to you, your volunteer will arrange a mutually convenient time to visit. They can bring lists of books based on your author preferences or favorite topics. They will pick up and drop off library materials - usually every three weeks.

A list of materials already borrowed by the customer is kept in strictest confidence for the volunteer to reference when selecting new items for the Home Borrowers Service customer.

Please note: A Physician’s Verification Form is required. The Home Borrowers Service Department will supply a Physician's Verification Form once you apply for this service.

For more information, contact:

Homebound & Volunteer Services

Phone: (732) 349-6200 ext. 5530
Email: HVS@theoceancountylibrary.org

Books by Mail Service

Ocean County Library provides a free Books by Mail Service through the U.S. Postal Service for any homebound individual, who is over the age of 18 and who is eligible for an Ocean County library card. Items are delivered, in blue nylon bags, to Ocean County residents who cannot leave their homes due to illness or disability.

An Ocean County Library Books-by-Mail Registration Form needs to be completed by the potential homebound customer. Please click here for the Ocean County Library Books-by-Mail Registration Form. You can mail the completed Ocean County Library Books-by-Mail Registration Form to the following address:

Ocean County Library Books-by-Mail
101 Washington Street
Toms River, NJ 08753

Once the Library receives your completed Books-by-Mail Registration Form, a Home Borrowers Service staff member will contact you shortly.

Once registered with Books by Mail, customers may request materials in writing or over the phone at either 609-294-1197 Option 7, or 732-286-0866 Option 7. Materials are returned to the Library in the same blue nylon bag. Return postage and the Library’s address are on the reverse side of the card. The number of materials that can be mailed at one time may be limited, as well as, types of materials. Current items must be returned before new items can be shipped.

Please note: A Physician’s Verification Form is also required. The Home Borrowers Service Department will supply a Physician's Verification Form once you apply for the Books-by-Mail service.

For more information, contact:

Books by Mail

Phone: (609) 294-1197 Option 7 or (732) 286-0866 Option 7
Email: BBM@theoceancountylibrary.org