A library in your mailbox!
Books by Mail sends books to eligible patrons statewide. With a collection of over 30,000 books our library caters to readers of all ages and interests in standard and large print formats. Books in Spanish are also available. Our digital collection on Hoopla and the Palace Project app provide audiobooks, eBooks, and more!
Order books from the comfort of your home or on the go through our convenient online catalog, by phone, mail, or email. There is no limit to the number of books you can request and may have up to 10 books at a time for a six-week loan period. There is no charge for receiving and returning books through USPS in the provided canvas mailing bags.
New Mexicans can register for this service if they:
- Do not live near a State Library Bookmobile stop or near a public library due to living in a rural area (20 miles or more outside city limits),
- Are homebound due to a physical disability,
- Can only read large print books due to a visual disability,
- Or are registered patrons of the NM State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled due to blindness, low vision, or a physical disability.
Contact BBM
Address:
New Mexico State Library
Books by Mail
1209 Camino Carlos Rey
Santa Fe, NM 87507
Phone:
1-800-395-9144 option 1
e-mail:
Books.byMailNM@dca.nm.gov
Operation Hours:
7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Best times to reach staff:
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Closed on
State and Federal holidays
Click to view the Books by Mail calendar! You can also subscribe to our calendar to stay up to date by copying and pasting the following outlook link into your calendar settings: https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/e6fa9910b9cb4567b0cb0bb2eb5b6d0c@dca.nm.gov/5272e5d077f443e9b8d8dac39abb4a3213574050173637006355/calendar.ics
Visit the Symphony catalog
Browse the entire Books by Mail collection!
Please contact us for your login information to check out books or to register.
Frequently Asked Questions
Download a Books by Mail Digital Registration Form 2025 by clicking the button above and email to Books.byMailNM@dca.nm.gov or call 1-800-395-9144 option one to register if you qualify or to request a mailed form.
Our program takes care of postage both ways for registered patrons! To return books, flip the mailing label in the front of the book bag so it shows the Books by Mail address and leave it for your postal worker or take it to your post office to return. Please note that the loan period includes the time it takes to mail books so please allow 3 – 5 business days for delivery.
Yes! When you sign up, you’re signing up your entire household. However, you only get one online login. If one of your household members wants their own online account, they’ll need to register and qualify for the program.
You may order as many titles as you’d like, however you may only have 10 books at a time for up to six weeks. Books will automatically be renewed for another six weeks as long as there isn’t anyone waiting for them. Additional renewals can be requested. You’ll automatically be added to the waiting list for unavailable titles.
No. To protect patron privacy, Books by Mail adheres to the New Mexico Library Privacy Act and only retains current active records such as checkouts, holds, overdue books, and lost books.
- First lost book is fine free.
- Second lost book, you may only have six books at a time until the assessed fine is paid or a suitable replacement is provided.
- Third lost book results in no more books, but Hoopla is still available for you until your registration expires. If you can return the damaged book, your service will continue as usual.
- Check your Symphony account: Login to your account at http://nmstatelibrary.org/BBMsymphony to see if your order is still on hold or has been checked out.
- Contact Books by Mail: Reach out by phone or email for assistance.
- Understanding the process: Books by mail typically has 1 – 2 copies of each title. If all copies are checked out, you’ll be placed on a waiting list. Processing usually takes 1 – 2 business days, and delivery times vary.
- Potential delays: Please note that unexpected staff outages, inclement weather, and holidays can affect processing and delivery times.
A return label can be sent to you but empty book bags cannot be mailed. You may also renew the title and wait for your next order.
Yes, as long as you remain a New Mexico resident and qualify for the program. Please reach out to discuss your specific situation.
Please request a donation form before sending any books. Donated books should have legible titles on the spine, no water damage, and no markings that hinder readability. Books by Mail will not pay for the postage of donations.
- Download the Hoopla app from your device’s app store.
- Tap on “Sign Up” and follow the prompts, making sure to choose the New Mexico State Library (Rural Services) as your library.
- Enter your patron ID and create a password.