Hillside Public Library is now a member of the Sharing and Technology Enhancing Local Library Access (STELLA) consortium, formerly known as LMxAC! Thanks to a grant from the Union County Commissioners we will be able to offer expanded resources to Hillside residents through shared services with over 40 New Jersey libraries.
Check out our New Catalog!
Q & A
- What is STELLA? A nonprofit membership organization providing a wide range of services to its member libraries. The Consortium consists of public libraries in Middlesex, Monmouth, and Union counties and Middlesex College.
- Why is Hillside Public Library joining? STELLA allows Hillside residents to access materials from over 40 libraries through a shared integrated library system, expanding access to over 3 million items. Additionally, joining STELLA provides the technical assistance required to run a 21st century library at a more economical cost.
- What changes will I see? The biggest change you will see is our new integrated library system which patrons use to search for material, place holds, renew items, and view account information. Our new Vega Discover catalog will provide a modern user experience. For example, library users will be able to see the availability of a title in all formats on a single screen view.
- What else can we expect? Hillside Public Library cardholders will have access to the STELLA app that can be used to store your library card number, view our catalog holdings, and place holds for materials. Additionally, residents will have access to hoopla to stream movies, television, music, comics, e-books, and e-audiobooks
- Will I lose access to my Libby (e-book/e-audio) account? No, your login and access will remain the same. Beginning June 21, please select STELLA as your home library.
- How is this different from M.U.R.A.L. (Middlesex Union Reciprocal Associated Libraries) Borrowing? M.U.R.A.L reciprocal borrowing requires card holders to visit participating libraries to check-out and return materials. Additionally we don’t have a shared ILS, so staff have to call an individual’s home library to confirm patrons have a card in good standing and we have to search each participating library’s catalog to check material availability. The good news is that many M.U.R.A.L participants are also members of STELLA, so borrowing and updating accounts will be much simpler. Hillside Public Library will continue to participate in M.U.R.A.L. so patrons will continue to have access to materials at non-STELLA member locations.
- Will I need a new library card? No, as long as you are in good standing your current card will continue to work to access your account online or in-person.
- Can I sign-up for a new library card or renew my expired card at any library in STELLA? Residents can renew their library card at any STELLA location. New registrants may begin the sign-up process online and receive a temporary card number to access digital resources. You will need to visit Hillside Public Library to receive your permanent library card after showing proof of eligibility. Replacement cards must be processed in person at Hillside Public Library. See Borrowing Policies for more details.
- How do I borrow materials from a STELLA library? You can place a hold through our catalog and set your pick up location to Hillside Public Library or any library in STELLA that is convenient to you. Your request will be delivered to your selected pick-up location, and you will be notified when it is ready to pick up. Alternatively, you may visit any STELLA library, in-person, and check out items with your Hillside Public Library card.
- Do I have full access to the collections at other STELLA libraries? Unfortunately specialty items such as Museum Passes and Library of Things items are limited to patrons who reside in the owning library’s municipality. Each library sets their own rules for what material can be borrowed by their residents vs. non-residents. The best way to ensure you are able to borrow material prior to making a trip to a specific library is to place a hold. If you are not able to borrow an item due to residency, our new system will let you know.
- How do returns work? You can return material to any STELLA library, and staff will take care of checking-in items and returning them to its owning library.
- Can I still make an interlibrary loan (ILL) request for items not available at Hillside Public Library? Joining STELLA expands collection availability tremendously. A search of Our Catalog will easily tell you what is available. If you can’t find it there, fill out our new Suggest an Item Form, we will consider purchasing your requested material or we will request it through ILL.
We are excited about this upcoming change, and we hope you are too! Please let us know if you have any questions using our website’s Contact Us form.