The Johnson Public Library is now offering a free “Books by Mail” service for Hackensack residents who are homebound or have a disability. Through this program, participating patrons will receive a bag of 2-4 library books and/or audiobooks through the mail. Once they’re ready, they can return the materials in the same bag, free of cost, and the library will send them a new batch of materials.

To join the program, patrons can fill out an Application and Medical Verification Form at johnsonlib.org/bbm. Each participating reader will provide information on their reading preferences, including format (standard-print book, large-print book, or audiobook) and genre.

Books by Mail is the latest initiative from JPL to break down traditional barriers to access and make its services more available to the community. In 2017, the library contracted with Hoopla to expand its digital collection of ebooks, audiobooks, movies, and more – available 24/7 to patrons from anywhere with an Internet connection. In 2019, JPL became the first “fine-free” library in Bergen County by eliminating overdue fees, which can prevent the most vulnerable from using the library. Last year, with the help of a grant from LibraryLinkNJ, the library partnered with Senior Source to offer a weekly off-site Pop-Up Library with free public parking.

“We are dedicated to serving the entire Hackensack community,” said Tara Cooper, Director of the Johnson Public Library. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, library staff did a great job of pivoting to offer digital and remote services, and we’ve removed other access barriers such as overdue fines and card requirements to access public PCs. However, these efforts have still left a missing piece to the puzzle – our neighbors who are not able to physically visit the library and aren’t comfortable using the library’s digital services. The new Books by Mail program will help close that gap, and I am so thankful to the library staff who have worked to bring this project to life and make JPL’s services more accessible to this underserved population in our community.”