Sullivan County residents currently not able to visit their public library due to illness, immobility, disability or transportation issues can apply to receive free Library-by-Mail Services starting this month. The condition that makes someone eligible can be permanent or temporary. Those interested who already have a library card can contact their home library to receive an application for this new service. Those who do not yet have a library card can contact their home library to first get a library card and then apply for Library-by-Mail.

Once the application for Library-by-Mail Service is processed participants will start receiving books (regular print or large print), audiobooks and/or magazines through the mail in a special green canvas Library-by-Mail delivery bag. Those materials will need to be returned to the library in the same bag with the prepaid postage stamp included. All postage costs will be paid by the Sullivan Public Library Alliance.

The costs for Library-by-Mail have been generously funded by Senator Jen Metzger, Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther and an Outreach Services Grant through the Ramapo Catskill Library System.

Applicants to this program will have access to the materials from the 47 member libraries in the Ramapo Catskill Library System (RCLS). RCLS includes the public libraries in Sullivan, Orange, Rockland and part of Ulster Counties.

Participants can also take advantage of access to digital media available to all library cardholders at no cost. Ebooks, digital audiobooks, and in some cases movies and music are available for streaming and downloading on any device. Contact your home library to find out how to use this service.

There are many ways to enjoy using the resources available through your library from the comfort of your own home. If you are eligible for this new library service please contact your home library. If you are not sure which library is yours, call any of the Sullivan County public libraries for information.

Sullivan County public libraries:

Daniel Pierce Library: (845)985-7233

Ethelbert B. Crawford Public Library: (845)794-4660

Fallsburg Public Library: (845)436-6067

Liberty Public Library: (845)292-6070

Livingston Manor Free Library: (845)439-5440

Mamakating Library: (845)888-8004

Roscoe Free Library: (607)498-5574

Sunshine Hall Free Library: (845)557-6258

Western Sullivan Public Library, Callicoon: (845)887-4040

Western Sullivan Public Library, Jeffersonville: (845)482-4350

Western Sullivan Public Library, Narrowsburg: (845)252-3360

Peggy Johansen is the director of the Mamakating Library, 128 Sullivan Street in Wurtsboro. She can be reached at pjohansen@rcls.org.