Interlibrary Loan

Update on Services, April 4, 2025

In an executive order signed on March 14, 2025, the President reduced the functions of several agencies, including the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which may impact your library services in North Hampton. The North Hampton Public Library does not receive any federal funds directly, but we do receive federally-funded services through the New Hampshire State Library.

The IMLS distributes federal funds to each of the state libraries, which then decide the best way to use those funds to benefit their residents. The NH State Library uses those federal funds to provide our interlibrary loan system (staff, vans, and software) and pay the platform fee for NH Downloadable Books (Libby), among other services that assist NH libraries and residents.

In 2024, NHPL borrowed 1,498 items from other libraries for our residents to use. NHPL users also borrowed 7,060 digital items using NH Downloadable Books (Libby app).At this time, we do not know the impact of the executive order on these library services. We will update you as we receive more information.

Have you used and benefited from these library services? Consider sharing with our elected officials the value you receive from these federally-funded services. You may find their contact information at https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials

Looking for something that is not in our collection?
If you are in need of something that is not in our collection, we can provide access to additional materials via Interlibrary Loan through the New Hampshire State Library system. This no-cost service increases patron access to materials from other New Hampshire libraries. Such materials include books, audio books and movies. Items available to borrow are those that have been in release for more than six months. North Hampton Library patrons may borrow up to three items at a time. To submit a request please provide the full title and author’s name at our circulation desk, via email |circdesk@nhplib.org| or phone |603.964.6326|

READS to Go

“Reads to Go” is a service provided by READS, the reference and adult services section of the New Hampshire Library Association (NHLA). “Reads to Go” offers book club kits you can borrow through interlibrary loan from New Hampshire libraries. Each kit contains: 15 books, 1 discussion guide, 1 sign-out sheet, and one brochure. North Hampton Public Library card holders can utilize this service and borrow a kit. The person checking out the book club kit is responsible for returning all the items in the kit and may borrow the kit for six weeks. For a list of available titles visit the “Reads-to-Go” website. If you wish to borrow a kit contact the Library. Our Library may borrow up to two kits at a time.