Libraries have that? Take a look beyond the books!

An e-reader displaying a passage from "La Disparition de Stephanie Mailer" is propped up in front of a tall stack of paperback books on a wooden table, with bookshelves blurred in the background. The visible text on the e-reader shows a conversation in French, adding a literary and cozy atmosphere to the image.

You know we have books, e-books, audiobooks, kids’ books, cook books. When it comes to books, you name it, we have it – and if we don’t, there’s even interlibrary loans to get it. But you may be surprised to learn what other interesting things we have to offer beyond the books!

TECHNOLOGY

Playaway Launchpads

Playaway Launchpad is the first-ever secure, pre-loaded learning tablet in a circulation environment. Each Launchpad is pre-loaded with high-quality, ad-free learning apps grouped by age, grade level, subject area and theme.

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Circulating Tablets

Need to borrow a mobile device? The Mercer County Library System lends tablet computers to patrons! These Android tablets come pre-loaded with many of our patrons’ favorite electronic resources, including Bluebird Languages, Headspace, the New York Times, and Kanopy. You can place a hold on a tablet through our online catalog, or ask at your local branch.

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Remote Printing

A view from behind a library service desk showing a staff member in a brown outfit. A printer or copier sits on the curved wooden desk in the foreground, while bookshelves with various materials line the walls in the background.
Patrons who need to print a document or file may email their request to the library. Printing costs are $0.10 per page for black and white and $0.50 per page for color.

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Computer Classes

A computer lab at the Mercer County Library System with a patron wearing a striped beanie working at one of several desktop stations. A large projection screen displays the MCLS logo at the front of the room.
The MCLS Technology Instruction Program offers group classes for adults on Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Windows, Internet, and more!

All group classes are free and take place at the Lawrence Headquarters branch in the computer classroom.

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CAREER

Job Interview Practice

Prepare for your upcoming job interview by meeting with an MCLS staff member to sharpen your interview skills. Using video conferencing software, you will get the chance to practice interviewing, as well as get feedback to help make your interview stronger.

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Resume Review

Our librarians will review and proofread your resume or cover letter and offer feedback on recommended edits and changes, including grammar, formatting, and overall layout.

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ARTS AND CULTURE

Museum Passes

The Mercer County Library System makes available various museum passes at no cost to MCLS patrons. As of posting the following museums are included in the program:

  • Academy of Natural Sciences
  • Battleship New Jersey
  • Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
  • Eastern State Penitentiary
  • Elmwood Park Zoo
  • Guggenheim Museum
  • Independence Seaport Museum
  • Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle
  • Morven Museum and Garden
  • Museum of the American Revolution
  • National Constitution Center
  • Roebling Museum

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Arts and Culture Programing (click the program to learn more!)

    A small group of people around a meeting table in a libray conference room for a book club
  • Virtual Events: We host virtual events for all ages. Through a partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium we’re also able to offer live and on demand virtual author talks with some of your favorite authors!
  • Amateur Photo Contest: This is an annual contest for amateur photographers of all ages.
  • Book Clubs: Run by MCLS librarians, our book clubs cover a wide variety of reading interests.A group of community members gathered outside the Mercer County Library System, holding bright green signs featuring short poems for National Poetry Month. Each participant displays their own poem with themes of spring, nature, and reading, showcasing the MCLS Poetry Circle celebration and creating a vibrant display of literary engagement. 
  • Book Festival: Be on the lookout for more information about our first Book Festival! We will host panels about writing and publishing in different genres, authors will discuss their books, and we will offer crafts and kid-friendly performances!
  • Discussion Groups: Led by MCLS librarians, our discussion groups meet to cover everything from current events to true-crime podcasts!
  • Poetry Circle: Read and discuss poetry, or share your works in progress for feedback.
  • TRASHEDart Contest: Remake, Reuse and Renew the items you would recycle or throw in the trash into something unique and beautiful and rethink the usefulness of garbage. The contest celebrates Earth Day by encouraging patrons to turn ordinary trash into extraordinary art.

STUDYING TIME

Study/Call Rooms

A view through glass partitions of a library study area with wooden carrels and tables. A person wearing headphones and a teal shirt sits with their back to the camera, studying amid backpacks, while bookshelves can be seen in the background through another glass wall. The quiet study space is designed for focused individual work
At some branches, small group study or phone/video call rooms are available for reservation. These rooms are for private or small group study, interviews, private and small group meetings, or video/phone call only; and are available for use by library patrons aged 14 and older.

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College Application Essay Review

A close-up view of hands typing on a silver laptop keyboard, with the person wearing a cream-colored sweatshirt. Nearby on the white desk surface sits a green notebook and a smartphone with a glowing green screen, creating a clean, focused workspace environment for digital productivity.
Our staff will read and review your college application essay and offer recommendations that concentrate on the content, focus, and direction of your essay. For example, have you addressed the prompt, would the essay benefit from a new introduction, does your essay have one clear focus? Note, these recommendations exclude grammatical and mechanical edits.

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English Learning Groups

A diverse group of adult learners participating in an ESL (English as a Second Language) class at a library community room. Students sit at white tables facing a pull-down projection screen, with teaching materials visible.
We offer a variety of English as a Second Language (ESL) programs for adult learners to improve and practice their English language skills. With a group leader, adult learners are given the opportunity to improve their English conversation skills with other language learners in a supportive environment.

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Citizenship Exam Practice

Are you working toward U.S. Citizenship? Make an appointment for a practice interview session with an MCLS staff member to go through all three sections of the test: reading, writing and the civics questions. This virtual practice session will give you a good idea of what will happen during the interview and how well prepared you are.

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Bonus – While these don’t fit neatly into one of the categories above, I thought you’d find them worth mentioning!

Caregiver Backpack

A diverse group of adult learners participating in an ESL (English as a Second Language) class at a library community room. Students sit at white tables facing a pull-down projection screen, with teaching materials visible.
In partnership with the Mercer County Department of Human Services, Aging & Disability Resource Connection, we recognize that caregiving is a privilege, but also can be a tremendous challenge. That’s why we’ve developed The Caregiver Backpack – the backpacks are housed at the Hopewell Branch and can be placed on hold for pickup at any of our branches. We hope that the materials included in the backpack are informative and helpful to you in your journey as a caregiver. Along with numerous flyers and pamphlets, which you are encouraged to keep, the Backpack contains a list of helpful websites, print titles, and DVDs. Learn more

Notary Public

A library staff member with gray hair assists a patron at a study table, filling out paperwork with a blue pen. In the background, the circulation desk is visible with an employee at a computer and informational materials on display.
The Mercer County Library System offers Notary Public Services for the benefit of the residents of Mercer County. The Hightstown Branch offers this service in Spanish and the Hickory Corner Branch offers this in Hindi, Marathi, and Konkani.

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These are just some of the offerings you may not have known about. Be sure to check our website, or visit your local branch to learn about everything MCLS has to offer. Did you see something familiar on the list? Leave a comment with your favorite library resource!

-Joanna, Information Technology

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