Sussex County Library System to join 68-library alliance, launch new catalog in December
SUSSEX COUNTY, N.J. — The Sussex County Library System will join a New Jersey library alliance in December, giving cardholders access to more than 3 million items, additional digital resources and a new online catalog.
The library system announced it will officially join Pillar Libraries, formerly known as the Main Library Alliance, on Dec. 9, 2026. The nonprofit alliance serves 68 public libraries across New Jersey and provides shared services and technology to expand access to library resources.
As part of the transition, Sussex County Library System cardholders will receive access to a new catalog, an updated library app and a larger shared collection of books and other materials.
“SCLS continually works to expand our resources, technology, and spaces as our community changes,” said Will Porter, SCLS Library Director. “This partnership broadens what our cardholders can borrow, learn, and discover, and we are grateful to our patrons for their patience during a short transition that will serve them for years to come.”
Library officials said several temporary service changes will take place before the new system launches. New book purchases were paused Oct. 1, and requests to place items on hold will be suspended beginning Nov. 1. However, existing holds will continue to be filled throughout the transition.
Cardholders who have saved lists in their online library accounts must print or email those lists by Dec. 5 because the information will not transfer to the new catalog.
The current catalog and circulation system will become unavailable Dec. 6. All Sussex County Library System locations will remain open Dec. 7 and 8, although circulation and return services will be limited during those two days.
The new catalog is scheduled to go live Dec. 9, when full circulation services will resume and patrons will again be able to place holds.
Library officials emphasized that existing cardholders will not need to obtain new library cards. Current library cards and PINs will continue to work with the new system, and existing eBook and eAudiobook loans and holds through CloudLibrary and hoopla will not be affected.
Pillar Libraries, which stands for Partners in Libraries, Lending, and Resources, is a nonprofit organization that supports member libraries through shared technology and services. The partnership is intended to provide libraries and their communities with broader access to materials and resources.
For additional information about the transition, including answers to frequently asked questions, cardholders can visit the Sussex County Library System’s transition information page.
Questions can also be directed to the library at 973-948-3660, option 4, or by email at sussexref@sussexcountylibrary.org.
Additional information about the alliance is available at pillarlibraries.org.
