Services For

The State Library Information Center provides services to State government, Thomas Edison State University, libraries, and the public. Interlibrary Loan (ILL) information is available within each section for the specific audience.

State Government

New Jersey state employees in the three branches of government (executive, legislative and judicial) can register for a library card to borrow State Library materials, place interlibrary loan requests, and access databases.

Sign-up for the NJSL newsletter for information about classes, new books, databases, collections and special programs.


Register for a Library Card

We will email you a card number once your registration is confirmed. Contact us in Circulation if you are unable to access the online form.


Research

The collections and resources of the State Library Information Center are selected to serve the needs of New Jersey state government. Reference librarians are available to identify and locate materials, conduct literature searches, perform research, and provide research guidance. Please email or call Reference at 609-278-2640 ext. 103 to discuss a research question.


Borrow Books from our Collections

Circulating items from our collections are available on loan to registered State Library borrowers. Requested materials will be sent to you via interoffice mail unless you wish to retrieve them in person.

You may place your request through the catalog Request Item feature, or through ILLiad. If you need assistance with a request, email or call Reference at 609-278-2640 ext. 103.

  • Search our catalog.
  • Renew books.
  • Email us to recommend a book for purchase. We will consider purchasing any current title needed by a state employee for work-related purposes.

Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

If we do not own a work-related book or article you need, you can request it from another library using the interlibrary loan system (ILLiad).

Use your library card number to create an ILLiad account.  You can then place requests by logging into ILLiad. For assistance using this service, email or call Reference at 609-278-2640 ext. 103.

Requests must comply with copyright guidelines. Articles obtained via ILL will be emailed. Books requested by State employees can be sent to your office or picked up at the State Library.

Please be aware you are responsible for any fees charged by the supplying library for lost books.


Databases

Your library card gives you remote access to a broad selection of databases that support state government activities.


Public Computers

Public computers are available on levels 3 and 4 of the library for walk-in use.


Thomas Edison State University

Thomas Edison State University staff, students and mentors can register for a library card to borrow State Library materials, place interlibrary loan requests, and access databases.

Register for a Library Card

Email us at Circulation if you are unable to access the online form. We will email you a card number once your registration is confirmed.


Research


Databases

Your library card gives you remote access to a wide selection of databases; most are also available for remote access by TESU staff and students.  Other databases are available directly from TESU after login to the MyEdison portal.

Mentors have limited remote access to State Library databases, but also have database access in TESU’s MyEdison portal.


Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

If we do not own an item you need, we can request it from another library using the interlibrary loan system (ILLIAD).

To make a request, use your library card number to create an ILLiad account.  You can then place requests by logging into ILLiad. For assistance with an ILLIAD request, email or call Reference at 609-278-2640 ext. 103.

Requests must comply with copyright guidelines. We will not place interlibrary loan requests for course textbooks.

Articles obtained via ILL will be emailed. TESU staff can receive books via interoffice mail; students and mentors must pick up and return books at the Library’s circulation desk.

Please be aware you are responsible for any fees charged by the supplying library for lost books.


Borrow Books from our Collections

Circulating items from our collections are available on loan to registered State Library borrowers. Materials from our collections will be mailed to you, if you reside in the continental United States, unless you specify that you wish to pick them up. Students and mentors may have up to five items out on loan.

You may place your request through the catalog Request Item feature, or through ILLiad. If you need assistance with a request, email or call Reference at 609-278-2640, ext. 103.


Request Photocopies and Articles from our Collections

The Library will provide copies from materials within our collections in accordance with copyright guidelines. You will need a State Library borrower’s card to create an ILLiad account before placing your request through ILLiad. If you need assistance with a request, email or call Reference at 609-278-2640 ext. 103.


Public Computers

Public computers are available on levels 3 and 4 of the library for walk-in use.

Libraries

Research

The New Jersey State Library provides reference assistance to the libraries of New Jersey. Our Law, New Jersey Documents, Jerseyana, U.S. Documents, Funding Information and Genealogy collections have been designated as statewide services collections. See About Our Collections for more information and contact us for research assistance or with any questions.


Databases

Remote access to Jerseyclicks databases is available to anyone with a library card from their local New Jersey public library, and in some cases by geolocation for anyone within the state of New Jersey.

The State Library Information Center also subscribes to additional databases available to the public onsite in Trenton.


Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

The State Library accepts requests from OCLC ILLiad and JerseyCat, as well as ALA forms.  We are a member of LVIS Resource Sharing Group (Libraries Very Interested in Sharing).

Requests will be fulfilled via email, New Jersey statewide delivery system, or U.S. mail for print materials outside New Jersey.  See our ILLiad policies for more information or contact Lending with any questions.

Lending

The Public including TESU Graduates

Research

The collections and resources of the New Jersey State Library are available for use by the public. See About Our Collections for more information. Reference librarians will assist visitors in identifying and locating materials and provide research guidance. Contact us for research assistance or with any questions.

Planning a visit to the New Jersey State Library? See our Visitor Conduct Policies regarding library use.


Register for a Library Card

New Jersey residents and anyone employed in New Jersey may register for a public State Library borrowers’ card. The State Library card enables public card holders to

  • use computers and databases while visiting the State Library
  • borrow one item from selected collections

Registration must be done in person, at the Library circulation desk at 185 West State Street, Trenton, NJ.  Call Circulation at 609-278-2640 ext.104 with questions about accepted forms of identification.


Borrow Books from our Collections

Public State Library card holders may borrow one item at a time from a circulating collection. Items must be picked up and returned at the Library; we will not mail items.

If you do not live or work in the Trenton area, use your local public library’s interlibrary loan service to request materials not held at their location. The New Jersey State Library lends materials through ILL to libraries in New Jersey and elsewhere around the country. Interlibrary loan allows you to pick up and return borrowed materials at your local library. You can find a list of New Jersey public libraries here. Looking for public libraries in other states? Try here.


Databases

Remote access to Jerseyclicks databases is available to anyone with a library card from their local New Jersey public library, and in some cases by geolocation for anyone within the state of New Jersey. Contact your local public library for information on getting a card and additional electronic resources they may offer.

The State Library Information Center subscribes to additional databases available to the public onsite in Trenton.


Research Guides

Explore our collection of Research Guides on a wide variety of subjects including Genealogy, Careers and Employment, Information Literacy, New Jersey Digitized Historic Newspapers and other general topics.


Learning at NJSL

With a wide range of webinars, presentations and training classes available on our Learning at NJSL page, everyone will find something of interest.


Public Computers

Public computers are available on levels 3 and 4 of the library.