There’s no question that the Princeton Public Library is a wonderful place to visit. From its striking architecture to the wonderful collections and smiling faces of staff members, PPL is a destination for residents and nonresidents alike. If getting to the library is inconvenient, though, never fear! There are a wide array of resources and services you can access without ever setting foot out your front door.
Online resources – With your library card and a PPL online account you have access to thousands of digital items from our elibrary (including ebooks, digital audiobooks, music, magazines and video), as well as dozens of databases covering everything from business to genealogy. The library also offers Mango, an online language learning program for beginner and intermediate learners.
Library by Mail – PPL’s Library by Mail service began as a grant-funded program, allowing cardholders anywhere in the continental United States to receive and return library items through the USPS free of charge. This can be arranged directly through the library catalog when requesting an item. Alternatively, you can call, email or visit the Lending Services desk with your request. Many users take advantage of this service when going on vacation or when schedules are tight.
Home Reader Program – For those who are unable to visit the library due to illness, injury, etc, and whose needs are not met through the Library By Mail service, PPL’s Home Reader program offers a solution. The program matches participants in the Princeton area with a volunteer who visits them at home and hand-picks books and other materials based on their personal tastes. Many of these volunteers form meaningful, lifelong connections with program participants and take away much more than they put in to the experience.
With cold weather upon us and vacations common during the winter months, now is the perfect time to get started and make the most of the many convenient services PPL offers. All of the resources and services mentioned above are completely free of charge to library cardholders. Keep in mind that the library is also here for you via phone, email and chat 7 days a week to answer your questions and offer more information about experiencing the library from home.
(Flickr photo by Denise Cortez, available under a Creative Commons Attribution license.)