Library By Mail

Library by Mail is a service that provides free delivery of library materials via the U.S. Postal Service to any resident of Baltimore County, regardless of age, who has trouble leaving home without help and cannot get to a Baltimore County Public Library branch to borrow materials. 

Eligibility and Program Requirements

To be eligible, you must:

  1. Have trouble leaving home without help because of a permanent or temporary disability, an illness or injury, leaving home isn't recommended while in your current condition, or normally leaving home is a major effort. 
  2. Have your healthcare provider complete the certificate of eligibility form (PDF) and mail it to the address listed below or upload it via the online application form.
  3. Have a library card. If you do not have a library card, you can request an e-card online and a staff member will follow up to convert your library card to a card for borrowing all items, after you have completed the Library by Mail application and submitted your certificate of eligibility.  

How to Apply

You may apply for this service in one of the following ways: 

  • Online: For fastest processing, complete the online application form, upload your certificate of eligibility and choose your ordering preferences.  
  • By mail: Print, complete and mail the Library by Mail application packet (PDF) to:
    Adult and Community Engagement
    Baltimore County Public Library
    320 York Road
    Towson, Maryland 21204
  • Call for a paper application via mail: Call the Adult and Community Engagement department at 410-887-7586 to request an application by mail. 

About the Loaned Items

Up to five books, books on CD, music on CD, Playaways and DVDs can be mailed in our prepaid protective mailing pouches.  

Items are loaned for four weeks and may be renewed up to five times for an additional three weeks, each renewal. However, items that are on a waiting list cannot be renewed.  

Requesting Items

To request an item:

  1. Visit the catalog and search for items by author, title, etc. 
  2. Select the “place request” button. 
  3. After logging into your account, make sure to check the box saying, “Please mail this to me.” This designation only shows if you are a registered Library by Mail participant.  

For Help Finding Items

Our librarians are happy to help you find items: 

  • When applying online, complete the "preferences" section.
  • When applying by mail, complete the ordering preferences form (PDF) and mail with the application to the address above.  
  • Call us at 410-887-7586 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. If a staff member is not available, leave a message and someone will return your call within one to two business days. 

Returning Items

Watch this video for a demonstration of the below process.

  1. Place the items in the pouch it came in. 
  2. Zip it closed. 
  3. Remove the address label from the outside pocket of the mail pouch. 
  4. Flip it over and put it back in the pocket so the library’s address is facing the front.  
  5. Attach the zip tie. 
  6. Put the pouch out for the mail carrier to pick up. 

For Questions

If you have any other questions about Library by Mail, email librarybymail@bcpl.net.