Home Delivery

Books By Mail

A Books by Mail service is available to any resident of Washington County who is unable to visit the library due to illness, disability, or visual impairment.

Library books are sent through the U.S. mail at no charge to you, with return postage paid. Books arrive in a zippered mailer bag.

Call 651-275-8552 to request the Books by Mail service and an application form will be mailed to you. Fill in the application form and return it to the library.

Requesting books


After your application is approved, there are three ways you can request books:
  • Online via the library's catalog. Select R. H. Stafford Library as your pickup location.
  • Call your local library to make requests. Tell the librarian you are signed up for the Books by Mail service and that you want to request books by mail. Have your library card number ready.
  • When returning books you have already received by mail, jot down on your checkout slip or a piece of paper the titles or types of books you want (e.g., mysteries, historical fiction) and return the list in the mailer bag.
Please note, when you ask for a title that is popular, we may have to place your name on a request list. When the title becomes available, we will send it to you. That may be in a few days, weeks, or more.

Renewing books

Renew your books online through your Library Account. You may also renew materials using the library's mobile app, or by calling Ginny Ogura, the librarian in charge of home delivery, at 651-275-8552.

Renewal periods:
  • 2 weeks for books, magazines, audiobooks and CDs
  • 1 week for DVDs
Loan periods for most materials may be extended 3 times.

Loans for these materials cannot be extended:
  • Titles with waiting lists
  • Feature films produced within the past two years 
  • Items loaned from other Minnesota libraries

Returning books


Books, magazines, audiobooks and CDs are due in 2 weeks.
DVDs are due in 1 week.

To return your Books by Mail:
  1. Pull out and turn over the mailing label so that the Washington County Library address shows.
  2. Place books in the canvas bag, close the zipper, and use the plastic tie to secure your package. 
  3. Give the bag to your mail carrier. 
The library pays all postage costs.

Questions?

If you have questions about home delivery, call Ginny Ogura, the librarian in charge of home delivery, at 651-275-8552. If the phone goes to voicemail, please leave your name and phone number so that we may contact you.