Hunterdon County Library users will have access to millions more items
FLEMINGTON – Patrons of the Hunterdon County Library will have a special gift in their Christmas stockings this year – access to millions more of items to borrow.
Starting in January, the library will be joining the Morris Automated Information Network, or M.A.I.N., which will give patrons the ability to access 2.5 million more items from libraries in Warren, Somerset and Morris counties.
Hunterdon County Library users will be able to walk into any M.A.I.N. library and take out materials or have them delivered to a Hunterdon County Library branch or affiliate.
"We are very excited to be able to provide additional access to print materials for our residents through shared services,” said Library Director James Keehbler. “The world of knowledge available through Hunterdon County Library will be even bigger and more comprehensive.”
Joining the network will benefit more than just patrons. The libraries will have increased access to digital resources, group purchasing discounts and increased staff development opportunities.
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“M.A.I.N. is thrilled to welcome the Hunterdon County Library into its growing ranks," said Phillip S. Berg, executive director of M.A.I.N. "Libraries have acted as shared services pioneers in New Jersey for many decades now, and this is a wonderful example of that tradition continuing. By working closely together, all users at M.A.I.N. member libraries benefit greatly."
The Hunterdon County Library, with main branches in Raritan Township, Clinton Town and East Amwell Library and affiliates in Flemington, Frenchtown, Lambertville, High Bridge, Whitehouse Station, Three Bridges, Milford, Holland and Tewksbury, will switch to the new network on Jan. 9-11.
After the switch is completed, the shared network catalog will be available for patrons to request materials from the entire network.
"The freeholder board and I are grateful to James Keehbler and the entire library staff for their consistent dedication to keeping library materials and programs available to patrons throughout this pandemic, and also for upgrading so many services to a digital format which gives increased access to patrons with WIFI at their home,” said Freeholder Zach Rich, the freeholder board's liaison to the county library system.
Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com
Mike Deak is a reporter for MyCentralJersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.