Hillsborough County Borrow by Mail is the library perk that lets you skip the trip, and plenty of local readers have no idea it exists.
Run through the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative, the service mails books, audiobooks and DVDs straight to your home for free. No gas, no parking and no rushing before closing time. Just request your item online and check your mailbox.
What Is Hillsborough County Borrow by Mail?
Borrow by Mail is a contact-free home delivery option for library materials. You request what you want through the library’s online catalog, the library mails it to you at no cost, and you return it when you are done. It is a simple fix for busy weeks, and a nice way to keep your to-read pile growing without adding another errand to your list.
Who Can Use It?
Hillsborough County Borrow by Mail is open to Hillsborough County residents who are 17 years old or older. You will need a library card, and if you do not have one yet, you can get a card through the library. Delivery is through the U.S. Postal Service only, and the address on your account must be able to receive mail or parcels, including P.O. boxes. Not sure which address your account has on file? The library offers an address check tool where you enter your full library card number and PIN.
What Can You Borrow?
With Hillsborough County Borrow by Mail, you can request books (not oversize), DVDs and Blu-rays, and audiobooks. You can have up to 35 Borrow by Mail items requested at a time, which is a pretty serious stack. Most items have a four-week checkout period, which is longer to make up for delivery time, while DVDs have a two-week checkout period. Borrow by Mail items can also be renewed.
How Does Hillsborough County Borrow by Mail Work?
First, search the library’s online catalog and place a hold on the item you want. When you choose your pickup location, select Borrow by Mail. The library says your item will be delivered to your home within two weeks at no cost. Since delivery can take a bit, plan ahead and do not request something you need by Friday. Once it arrives, enjoy it for the checkout period and renew it if you need more time.
How Do You Return Items?
Returning is easy too. You can drop items in the book drops at your nearest library location, which costs nothing. You can also return them by mail, but postage charges apply, so the book drop is the budget-friendly route.
Tips for a Smooth Borrow by Mail Experience
Using Hillsborough County Borrow by Mail is easy, but a few quick tips help. Double-check the address on your account before you place a hold, request items early so delivery time does not eat into your reading time, and keep an eye on your due dates.
Why Hillsborough County Borrow by Mail Is Worth a Try
If you are juggling work, school, sports and everything else, a trip to the library can slide to the bottom of the list. Borrow by Mail takes that excuse away. Free library books delivered by mail sounds almost too good to be true, but it is a real service. Whether you want the latest bestseller, an audiobook for the commute or a movie for family night, you can request it from your couch and let the mail carrier do the rest.
Have questions? Call the library at 813-273-3652 or text 813-352-1603.
Before you request your first item, check the library’s official Borrow by Mail page for the latest details. Looking for more local resources? Explore our Brandon FL guide.
