SCLSNJ Home Borrowing Service
Ninety-four-year-old Bound Brook resident, Vince Liscio, has lived in Somerset County since he was 15. Having spent most of his life in Bound Brook, NJ, visiting the Somerset County Library System of New Jersey’s (SCLSNJ) Bound Brook branch had been part of his schedule for decades, particularly since his retirement.
Liscio and his late wife, Matilda, who passed away earlier this year, enjoyed exploring programs at the library and checking out materials from books to DVDs. Due to the pandemic and other factors, leaving home has become challenging for the frequent library customer, who fondly recalls sharing many memories at the Bound Brook branch, including a surprise party that the branch staff hosted for the couple’s 65th wedding anniversary.
In order to serve community members like Liscio that have qualifying barriers to access library services, SCLSNJ piloted the Home Borrowing Library Services (HBLS) program in early 2021. Since the launch of the program, HBLS has connected with dozens of customers and shared over 900 materials through the mail.
“HBLS are available to individuals experiencing temporary or permanent health, mobility, transportation, age-related, or other qualifying barriers to in-person library service,” said Nicole Pascoe, Civic Services Manager. “Interested home borrowers work together with library staff to determine which facet of the service may best suit their individual circumstances, whether it be exploring digital resources, receiving materials by mail, designating a friend or family member to pick up materials, or connecting with the NJ State Library’s Talking Book and Braille Center.”
Liscio has been participating in the HBLS program since the pilot phase. He enjoys connecting with the library staff via phone calls and receiving DVDs as well as other materials via the mail. In addition to mail services, Liscio’s designated family and friends occasionally pick up the materials that Liscio has selected at the Bound Brook branch as part of the HBLS program.
“Now that it’s more difficult for me to get out and get videos [from the library], I find the service very helpful and very accommodating,” said Liscio. “The Home Borrowing [staff] have been great to me.”
Library materials arrive via the United States Postal Service in 11×14 inch, water-resistant, zippered mailer bags that are bright red in color, making them highly visible. Outgoing and return postage are paid by SCLSNJ and labels plus instructions are provided in each bag. Liscio’s daughter shared that Liscio is “always happy when he sees the red bag on the porch” and that it is “the highlight of his week.”
Liscio, a movie enthusiast, selects the movies that he wants to borrow by utilizing the library’s online catalog, as well as communicating with HBLS staff via weekly phone calls.
“At least once a week, Vince will call one of us on the Home Borrowing team just to let us know how great the service is, what a wonderful job the team is doing, and that he feels taken care of,” said Jen Sulligan, Civic Services Supervisor. “It is the best part of our day! Vince has been with us since the beginning, and he is one of our most active customers.”
Sulligan continued, “We send a mailer bag out to him weekly, stuffed to capacity with DVDs of his choosing. He will occasionally, with assistance from a family member, still visit the Bound Brook branch that he loves so much, to choose a book to read.”
For customers like Liscio, who visit the library branch locations whenever possible, staff is always available to assist with material recommendations, navigating services, and general inquiries.
“I appreciate all the services, all the people, and all the help as well as the respect that [the library staff] have treated me with over the years,” concluded Liscio.
Interested home borrowers can apply for service online by visiting SCLSNJ.org/homeborrowing, calling 908-458-4938, or emailing homeborrowing@sclibnj.org.
“We are continually working to grow capacity to serve more home borrowers,” said Pascoe. “We look forward to bringing the library to many more homes in the coming months and into 2022.”
Explore more about HBLS on SCLSNJ’s YouTube Channel, SCLSNJ.org/HomeBorrowing101.
About Somerset County Library System of New Jersey
Somerset County Library System of New Jersey (SCLSNJ) partners with you to connect, explore, share, and discover. Together we enrich lives, expand knowledge, and strengthen communities. SCLSNJ branches can be found in Bridgewater, Bound Brook, Hillsborough, Manville, North Plainfield, Peapack & Gladstone, Rocky Hill at Mary Jacobs Memorial Library, Somerville, Warren Township, and Watchung. Additionally, there are two SCLSNJ reading stations in Branchburg and Washington Valley. Visit SCLSNJ.org.
