Using our digital resources for the first time? Niche Academy is for you! Learn how to use library e-Resources like eBooks, research databases, and language learning tools. Access simple guided instructions on how to get started with Hoopla, Overdrive, Tutor.com, Freegal and more. You can also find tutorials on Microsoft Office, Google apps, social media, and more. Niche Academy tutorials are continuously updated when any changes are made to products, and you can always go back in to see what’s new. Find our tutorials on our website under Books & More.
Vauxhall Branch to Resume Daily Curbside Service
We are happy to announce that the Vauxhall Branch will resume daily curbside service beginning Monday, March 1. Staff will be available Monday-Friday from 10am to 6pm. Please call us at 908-851-5451.
Let Us Find Your Next Read!
Need some great books for yourself, but don’t know what to get? Union Public Library now offers personalized reading suggestions with our Shelf Help service. Simply fill out the form, and our librarians will create a personalized list of titles based on your feedback. You can also find the form under the Books & More tab.
Online Newspaper Access
US Major Dailies: Read current and past articles from 5 of the most respected U.S. newspapers: The New York Times Washington Post Los Angeles Times Chicago Tribune Wall Street Journal Login with your library barcode to access U.S. Major Dailies from ProQuest. With print and online editions, the titles offer researchers thorough and timely coverage of local, regional, and global events with journalistic balance and perspective. The content is available by 8 AM U.S. Eastern time each day and provides archives stretching as far back as 1980. All titles are cross searchable on the ProQuest platform. Library card holders can find the direct link to U.S Major Dailies, under the Research Tab on our website.
House Call Delivery
Union Public Library offers delivery service to library patrons who are unable to leave their homes due to health-related issues. This service is staffed by volunteers who can both pick up items from the library and bring them directly to a patron’s house, and return them to the library as well. If you wish to apply, or know someone who would like to apply, please call the Reference Desk at (908) 851-5450 x3 to arrange for services.
COVID-19 Service Updates
To best serve the public during COVID-19, the Union Public Library will continue curbside service. The safety of our community is our number one priority, and we have many ways to continue to provide exceptional service to our community. CURBSIDE SERVICE Union Public Library cardholders may reserve material for curbside delivery: Visit the catalog https://catalog.uplnj.org/ and log in with your library card number and pin Use our mobile app UPL-NJ found on Google Play or Apple App store Call 908-851-5450 x2 (Main Library) or 908-851-5451 (Vauxhall Branch) to reserve material for curbside pickup CONTACT US Staff will be available to offer help and answer your questions M-F 10am -6pm Call us at 908-851-5450 x3 (Main Library) or 908-851-5451 (Vauxhall Branch) Email us unionpl@uplnj.org Chat with a librarian https://uplnj.org/ask-a-librarian/ LIBRARY CARDS Union residents may apply for a temporary digital access card, and start downloading e-books, audiobooks, music, and so much more. Learn a new language, or access one-on-one tutoring for all ages through Tutor.com Apply for a digital access card here Applications for full service library cards may be made in person, by appointment, once the library is open. Please visit Get A Library Card to learn more about types of cards available and ID you will need to bring. BOOK RETURNS Book Return boxes will remain open, and patrons may return library material at any time to the book boxes outside the library. Returned items will be quarantined for 24 hours and will remain on your account until they are checked in following the quarantine period. No late fees will be charged during the quarantine period. *Please note that Chromebooks may not be placed in book return boxes. Please contact the library at 908-851-5450 x3 (Main Library) or 908-851-5451 (Vauxhall Branch) to arrange a return. PRINTING If you wish to print a document at the library we offer mobile printing services Email your document to: UPLMAINBW@PRINTSPOTS.COM for pickup at the Main Library 908-851-5450 x3 VAUXHALLBW@PRINTSPOTS.COM for pickup at the Vauxhall Branch 908-851-5451 Call the library to set up a curbside appointment for document pickup. Printing is $.15 per page, and please bring exact change. E-BOOKS AND MORE Our digital resources are available 24/7 to Union Public Library cardholders. Download e-books, audiobooks, digital magazines, music, tv and comic books. Find these and more on our website www.uplnj.org. If you are a Union Resident without a library card, you may apply for […]
Automatic Renewal
We are excited to announce that we will automatically renew eligible library materials you have checked out. Automatic Renewal will give you peace of mind as well as more time to enjoy your material. *Please note that only material checked out after February 15 will be automatically renewed. Items will not be renewed when: The item is on hold for someone else You have reached the maximum number of renewals allowed Renewals are not allowed on specific types of material (e.g., DVD’s, Chromebooks, Museum Passes) About auto renewal: When your item is automatically renewed, you will see the new due date when you log into your account. The Renew Loan button will no longer display when the number of remaining renewals is zero A notice will be sent to your email (if enabled) advising you of the new due date
2020 Tax Forms
We have received copies of IRS forms 1040, 1040-SR, and the accompanying instruction booklet. No appointment is needed. Please ring the doorbell or call us when you are outside. We will hand the forms to you at the door. If you require additional forms, our Librarians are happy to print them from an official government website for $.15 per page. Please call the Reference Desk at 908-851-5450 x3 for more information.
World Read Aloud Day (WRAD)
The 12th Annual World Read Aloud Day (WRAD) takes place on Wednesday, February 3, an annual holiday dedicated to encouraging the joy and community created by reading aloud. To celebrate, Union Public Library is giving away a signed copy of this year’s official WRAD book, My Very Favorite Book in the Whole Wide World, written by Super Bowl Champion and Literacy Advocate Malcolm Mitchell! Here’s how to enter: Submit your name, phone number, and email to emacleod@uplnj.org by 12 PM on Wednesday, February 3, using ‘WRAD Giveaway’ in the subject line. Open to all Union residents. Tune in to Facebook Live at 3 PM on the 3rd, when we’ll draw the winner of this fantastic picture book! The winner will be contacted to arrange a curbside pickup appointment. Here are just a few ways that UPL can help your family celebrate World Read Aloud Day, even while we’re closed to the public: Place books on hold using UPL’s online catalog, which you can collect through our curbside pickup service. Find some great eBooks using UPL’s digital resources, such as Tumblebooks and Hoopla. Join us for Virtual Storytime at 10:30 AM on Facebook Live! Previous storytimes are available on-demand on Facebook and Instagram. Any questions? Contact the Children’s Department at 908-851-5450 ext. 4. Happy #WorldReadAloudDay!
Library & Chill: Winter Reading Program at Union Public Library
Join us for Library & Chill at Union Public Library! This six-week program for ages 5 and up (adults, too!) will be starting on Tuesday, January 19. Virtually explore all the library has to offer this winter and have a chance to win prizes! Sign up on READsquared. Registration & Welcome Gift Program sign-up will begin on Tuesday, January 19 through READsquared. You will need a Union Public Library card to participate. If you are a Union resident and would like to obtain a library card, you can sign up for a digital resource library card here. After signing up, adults are eligible to receive a ‘Chill Kit’ as a thank you for participating. Kits are limited, so please call and reserve your Chill Kit once you sign up on READsquared. Call the Main Library at 908-851-5450 x3 to schedule a curbside pickup. Available while supplies last! Children and teens can pick up their signup gift once they are registered on READsquared. Please call the Main Library at 908-851-5450 x4 to schedule a curbside pickup. Available while supplies last! How to Participate Log your reading hours weekly, through READsquared in order to qualify for weekly raffle prizes, as well as the Grand Prize. Complete weekly missions for extra points towards prizes. You can also participate by: Weekly Themes & Prizes There will be different themes, missions and challenges to try each week! You can earn additional points by completing the mission for each week. Additionally, you’ll be signed up to receive a weekly e-newsletter from Union Public Library, with the weekly challenges, so be on the lookout! Week 1 (Tuesday, January 19-24): YouPL Focus on health and wellness Week 2 (Monday, January 25-31): Book a Staycation Focus on adventure and travel Week 3 (Monday, February 1-7): DIY @ UPL Focus on learning a new skill Week 4 (Monday, February 8-14): Fun in ‘21 Focus on hobbies and recreation Week 5 (Monday, February 15-21): ‘Time’ to Read Focus on history, biographies, science fiction, and/or time travel Week 6 (Monday, February 22-28): This Week, I… Focus on whatever you choose In order to be eligible for the weekly prizes, you must login to READsquared and log time that you read that week. There will be a random drawing at the end of each week to determine the winner(s), who will be notified via email. Prizes in the form of gift cards and more […]
Check Out Our New Mobile App!
The Union Public Library has launched a new mobile app, UPL-NJ Mobile App, that lets patrons check out library materials using their phones or tablets. The UPL-NJ Mobile App allows Union Public Library cardholders to scan an item’s barcode with their phone and instantly check it out to their library account. UPL-NJ Mobile App is available for download for both iOS and Android devices.
Curbside Pick-up Service
Reserve or request your items: Library staff will call you when the requested materials are ready to be picked up. During this call, they will schedule a pick-up time with you. Pick-up is by appointment only. Inform us when you arrive: Once you’ve arrived for your scheduled pick-up, call the library at 908-851-5450 ext. 2 (Main Library) or ext. 5 (VauxhallBranch) and have your library card ready. If coming by car, inform staff of your car’s make and model. Or, if walking up, let staff know. Please remember to wear a mask! Receive your items: Park in the designated pick-up spot and wait for staff to bring your items out. Please have your library card ready so we can identify you! For walk-up patrons, please wait in the designated area marked off for this purpose.