What is BCCLS?

BCCLS, The Bergen County Cooperative Library System, is a consortium of 76 autonomous public libraries in northern New Jersey. By county, there are 61 in Bergen, 10 in Essex, 4 in Hudson, and 1 in Passaic.

Each library is independently managed at the municipal level. Loan periods, renewal limits and fines are decided by the owning library and follow an item when it is sent to another library.

Is it easy to get a library card?

It's easy and free! Most BCCLS libraries offer online registration. With proper identification, your home library will provide you with a free library card. If your town is not a BCCLS member or does not have a library, check with any BCCLS library for local pay card policies.

Municipalities without libraries are not eligible for BCCLS-wide services. This applies to residents of Alpine, Englewood Cliffs, Moonachie, Rockleigh, Saddle River, South Hackensack, Teterboro, and Woodcliff Lake in Bergen County as well as Essex Fells and North Caldwell in Essex County.

If you live outside of the BCCLS but work or go to school in one of these towns, most local libraries will issue you a courtesy card. This card entitles you to in-person use of that library.

How do I borrow materials?

Once you have your library card, you can visit and borrow from any of the 76 BCCLS libraries. You may search www.bccls.org 24/7 and with your library card place requests for any of the more than 5 million items available within the BCCLS system. Your items will be delivered within a matter of days to any BCCLS library by our state sponsored delivery system, and you may return your materials to any BCCLS library. If you need assistance, your local librarian can help you obtain the materials you want.

What can I borrow from the library?

Books, magazines, newspapers, DVDs, CDs, audio books, games, software and more. Additionally, downloadable and streaming content is available online.

All circulating items, including media, found in the database are available for in-person borrowing; additionally all circulating items, including media, older than six months are available for electronic loan to all patrons holding valid resident cards from BCCLS member libraries.

Items on the New York Times bestseller list, items added to the collection within the previous seven days and local summer reading list titles may be excluded from electronic loans.

What if something I want isn't currently available?

Libraries can reserve most materials and notify you when your item becomes available.

Requests for materials, and their delivery, may be initiated by the patron, the patron's home library, or the requesting library. Libraries may initiate loan requests for non-resident patrons with valid BCCLS library cards. Loans will not be initiated for patrons not in good standing.

What if the material I want isn't available in a BCCLS library?

Your home library will try to obtain the material you’ve requested from outside the BCCLS system. This service may take more time and may incur a fee.

Can I download or stream eBooks, magazines, movies, and more with my library card?

Downloadable and streaming audiobooks, eBooks, digital magazines, music, movies, and TV series are available free from the BCCLS website anytime, anywhere you are connected. Visit BCCLS.ORG and then click on eBCCLS to get started.

How many items may I borrow and for how long?

Each library determines its own borrowing limits and loan periods. In general the minimum loan period for print material is two weeks and for visual media one week. BCCLS has a system-wide limit of 50 items per patron at any one time.

How do I renew materials?

The easiest way to renew materials is online using “Your Library Card” and PASSWORD. You can also renew in person or by telephone.

How do I get a PASSWORD?

Any BCCLS library may issue a PASSWORD to any BCCLS patron who presents a valid library card. Your PASSWORD allows you to view your borrower information online. With a PASSWORD you can request items online, review what you currently have checked out, renew materials that are renewable, and check for fines.

Is my library card good outside the BCCLS system?

Yes! BCCLS cardholders 16 years and older are also eligible to borrow materials from Bergen Community College.