Frequently-Asked-Questions (FAQ)

You can get a replacement card at the Circulation desk for $3.00. Stolen cards are the responsibility of the owner until reported to the library.

Library cards must be presented to borrow materials. If the card is not presented, a driver’s license may be used to bring up account information.

Please visit either eLibraryNJ (E-books, audiobooks) or Hoopla (movies, e-books and comics books).

Click on Research and select on of the four database options (A-Z, By Subject, Genealogy, Link to a topic or Middletown History).

If you live, work, go to school, or pay taxes in Middletown Township, you may become a member of the library. You can obtain a free library card just by presenting some identification with proof of your address or employment. Children may get their own card when approved by a parent or guardian. Free membership is also available on a one year renewable basis to anyone who works or attends school in Middletown Township. Non-residents may purchase a library card for an annual fee of $75 and $25 for senior citizens.

MTPL is accepting donations again, but it is limited to books only for the time being, following the policy of one bag per family/per week. Please bring your donations into the library and hand to a staff member at the front desk. Please do not put donations into any drop box.

For telephone renewal call the library during open hours at 732-671-3700 and choose the option for Circulation.

To renew items online, visit the library website, select “My Account” (under the “Quick Links” menu), and enter your card number and the last four digits of your phone number. You can view titles you currently have on loan, renew selected titles, view holds, check outstanding fines, and search the Library Catalog. To avoid late fees, renewals must be completed before midnight of the due date. You will be notified if an item is not renewable. Items on HOLD for another customer may not be renewed. If no renewal date is given, the item is not renewed so please check carefully. You may renew an item up to four times before it must be returned to the library.

Go to the MTPL Catalog from the library website – use your library card number and the last four digits of phone number to login to your account. Search for book, and then click on PLACE HOLD. The library will call or email you when the item becomes available. Items are available for pickup at the Circulation Desk.

There are three ways to request an item not in the catalog: fill out a request form here, and the item will be either borrowed from another library or purchased for our collection. You can also go to the Reference Desk and fill out a request. You can also log onto your account at mtpl.org and select “purchase suggestions” on the left-hand side.

You will receive a phone call or an email notifying you that your book is ready to pick up.

Children’s books, media and sound recordings all begin with the letter J or E in their call number. Teen books always begin with “Teen” in their call number. Adult fiction books are labeled with FIC, followed by the first three letters of the author’s last name. Non-Fiction books always start with numbers, followed by the first three letters of the author’s last name.

The catalog is featured in two locations on our website. It is under the “Explore” drop-down menu as well as on the top right of the website. Once you find the catalog in either of these two locations, type your search then click on “go.” To narrow your search, on the left you can select the format (book, media, sound recording, etc). Just below your search, there is a drop down menu where you can search by title, author, series, subject and call number.

To pickup library materials in the locker, place a hold in the catalog here and check off the box that says “locker pickup.” Once you receive the notification that your items are available to pickup, please go to the lockers located in the back of the library by the return bins to obtain your materials. When you arrive, walk up to the lockers, and lift the magnetic flap to view the screen. Choose “Patron” and either scan or type in the code you received via email. Please note: The locker will open automatically so make sure to step back slightly during this step! After removing your items, please firmly close the locker door. For additional information on the library’s locker system, please click here.