Our Collection

The New Brunswick Free Public Library has over 80,000 books, 200 periodicals, and over one thousand DVDs, covering popular as well as educational topics and subjects. Collection suggestions are accepted in person, or by phone or email.

The table below summarizes our circulation periods, fines, and renewal policy. {During the COVID-19 pandemic, the library is not charging overdue fines.} Please note that renewals are only permitted if there is not already a hold request currently on the item.

Item Type	Loan (days)	Fine per day late	Renewal
New Books	14	$0.10	None
General Adult Books	14	$0.10	One
YA Books	14	$0.10	One
Children's Books	14	$0.05	One
Magazines	14	$0.10	One
Children's Magazines	14	$0.05	One
Literacy and ESL material	14	$0.10	One
Audio Books	14	$0.10	One
Theatrical DVDs	3	$1.00	None
Non-theatrical DVDs	7	$1.00	None
DVD TV series	7	$1.00	None
Playaway (Children's)	14	$0.10	Once
Playaway (YA)	14	$0.10	Once

Payment Methods

Payments for late fees can be made in cash or checks in the library or with a debit/credit card online with SmartPay. To pay online, you will need your library card number and its PIN. Contact the library if you would like to create or modify your PIN.

Adult Collection

The adult collection contains classic and contemporary fiction, urban fiction, mysteries, science fiction, romance, and more. The non-fiction collection covers a wide range of subjects including a collection of test preparation and ESL books.

Spanish Collection / Colección en Español

The Spanish collection contains classic and contemporary fiction, non-fiction, and biographies. Non-fiction subjects with strong representation in the collection include: religion, spirituality, finance and business, cookbooks, health, pregnancy and parenting, and literature.

La colección en español incluye ficción clasicas y contemporaneas, no-ficción y biografías. Libros de no-ficción con muy fuerte representación incluyen: religión, espiritualismo, finanza y negocios, libros de cocina, salud, embarazo y literatura.

Periodicals

The library subscribes to various magazines, most of which can be borrowed. The library also subscribes to some periodicals which can be perused inside the library only. Please ask at the Reference Desk or call 732-745-5108 x20.

Audio and Visual

The library's DVD collection includes popular, independent, children's, foreign, and educational movie titles, as well as TV series. The library also has a small Audio Book collection, offering a variety of fiction and non-fiction titles on Playaways. (Playaways are audio book devices with titles already loaded – just insert a battery, connect your headphones/earbuds, and start listening.)

Young Adult Collection

The library's collection of young adult books contains both classics and contemporary novels. We also have a collection of Western comics and manga, as well as a selection of magazines for teens.

Reserving items

Books and other items that are not immediately available at the New Brunswick Free Public Library may be reserved by filling out a request at the Reference Desk. The Reference Librarian will search for the material at all libraries within our consortium first, and, if not found there, within our Interlibrary Loan network.

Patrons may also place holds on books through the online catalog using their library card number and PIN (if you do not know your PIN, please contact the Reference Desk at: 732-745-5108 x20). Borrowers will be notified by telephone or email when the material is available.

Patrons are able to place their own Interlibrary Loan requests on JerseyCat, as well. This should only be done after searching all libraries within the LMxAC online catalog. Only New Brunswick cardholders can use this service. Borrowers will be notified by telephone or email when the material is available.

To place a request in JerseyCat, you simply search for an item, select the item you want, click the "Request This Item" button, and type in your information (including name, library card number, and a password you will create.) For more detailed instructions, you may download our patron request how-to guide.

Please note: A limited time is allowed for pick-up once a borrower has been notified that requested material is ready for pick-up. (Typically, books are held for three days and videos are held for one day.) There will be a charge of $1.00 per item not picked up. If you place a hold or InterLibrary loan request, do not cancel the request, we obtain the item for you, and then you do not pick it up, a $1 fine will be placed on your account. To clarify: You can cancel a request online, over the phone, or in person. If you realize you no longer want an item you requested, you should cancel the request before the item becomes available for you to pick up so as to avoid this charge.