The ReciproCard Report: New Jersey
Overview
Based on my research and input from ReciproCard users, New Jersey has agreements, but they're not as prevalent as some other states.
Libraries and Libby Participation
Library systems: 285
On Libby: 183 (64.2%)
Not on Libby: 102
The ones not on Libby: Alfred H. Baumann Library/West Paterso, Anthony Pio Costa Memorial Library, Asbury Park Free Public Library, Bass River Community Library, Bayonne Free Public Library, Beach Haven Free Public Library, Bedminster-Far Hills, Bergenfield Free Public Library, Bloomingdale Free Public Library, Caldwell Free Public Library, Cedar Grove Free Public Library, Cherry Hill Free Public Library, plus 90 more.
Not every library system uses Libby. Some offer digital borrowing through other services, and a few haven't adopted a digital platform yet. This report only covers libraries that are on Libby.
Unique Catalogs
New Jersey has 19 different shared digital catalogs. Every one you can reach through a partnership, an agreement, or a non-resident card is a different library of books on Libby. The collections really do differ from one system to the next, so every new card here is a real upgrade.
A shared digital catalog, sometimes called a consortium, is a collection of ebooks and audiobooks that multiple library systems fund and share together. Each catalog listed below is a separate collection. Libraries that belong to the same one are all drawing from the same pool of books.
Ten Largest Catalogs
| Catalog | Library systems |
|---|---|
| eLibrary NJ | 44 |
| Main Library Alliance | 41 |
| South Jersey Regional Library Cooperative | 34 |
| BCCLS | 32 |
| PALS Plus NJ OverDrive Library | 10 |
| Monmouth County Library | 9 |
| Atlantic County Library System | 1 |
| Avalon Free Public Library | 1 |
| Burlington County Library System | 1 |
| Jersey City Free Public Library | 1 |
Plus 9 more, 13 of which serve a single library.
A shared catalog is what happens when a group of libraries pool their money and buy one collection together. With this many separate catalogs in one state, every card you can get is potentially a whole new library of books, so the gaps in my data here are frustrating.
New Card Opportunities
New card opportunities: 92
Through agreements: 92
I've confirmed 92 new card opportunities across the state. They cover 68 of New Jersey's 183 Libby libraries, which is 37.2%. So roughly 62.8% of libraries here don't currently have anything attached to them.
A new card opportunity is any time a library system's cardholders can access a Libby catalog they don't already have, as identified by ReciproCard. These come from Libby partnerships (where your existing card works at another library's catalog), reciprocal agreements (where you apply for a free card at another system), and statewide programs (where a library is open to all residents regardless of location). ReciproCard filters out duplicate catalogs, so each opportunity listed here represents access to a genuinely different collection. Keep in mind that ReciproCard only tracks agreements that include Libby access. Many libraries have reciprocity for physical books but not Libby, and those aren't counted here.
That doesn't mean those libraries have no agreements, but based on my research New Jersey doesn't have many that provide access to Libby.
How New Jersey Compares
- 10th of 51 for number of library systems (285).
- 9th of 51 for separate Libby catalogs (19).
- 22nd of 51 for new card opportunities (92).
- Largest catalog: eLibrary NJ (44 libraries).
Explore Other States
Haven't Searched Your Own Library Yet?
This report gives you the statewide picture, but your results depend on your local system. If you haven't already, enter your home library system in the search above to see what cards you might be eligible for.