STELLA Libraries vs Pillar Libraries (NJ)
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
STELLA Libraries
Easily search millions of library items, place holds, and manage your account. Access digital content, view event calendars, and connect with your library's community.
- Search millions of library items
- Place holds and choose pickup locations
- Manage library account (holds, checkouts, renewals)
- Store digital library card
- View library social media feeds
- Access event calendars
- Connect to digital content
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STELLA Libraries, the new name for the LMxPRESS PLUS app. Search and place holds on millions of items available in the STELLA catalog with our new and improved app! Search all STELLA member libraries for your favorite books, movies, music, and more. Download and connect to digital content, and stay in touch with your library's community through social media feeds and event calendars. Use the STELLA app to: * Place holds on items across all STELLA member libraries and choose your pickup location. * Manage your library account: view holds, checkouts, and renew items. * Store a digital copy of your library card on your device so you always have it with you. * Check your favorite library's social media feeds. * See upcoming library events on each member library's calendar. * Access digital content offered by individual libraries.
Pillar Libraries (NJ)
Manage your library account on the go. Search the catalog, renew borrowed items, and place holds directly from your mobile device. Access your local library's resources anytime, anywhere.
- Manage library account
- Search catalog
- Renew books
- Reserve books
- Mobile access
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Main Library Alliance is now Pillar Libraries! New name, same great app. Access your library anywhere, any time with the Pillar Libraries app for your phone and tablet. Search: Search the library catalog for books, e-books, audiobooks, movies, and more. Sort items by distance and availability to see what’s nearby, or place a hold and select a pickup location at any Pillar Libraries member location. My Barcode: Never forget your library card again. You can access a digital version of your library card, with a scannable barcode, directly in the app. If you have your phone, you have your library card. Scan ISBN Barcode: At a bookstore and want to check if your library has a copy of a certain title? Scan the book’s ISBN barcode and the app will automatically search the library catalog for that title. My Home Library: Check valuable information, including hours, contact information, and other details about your local library branch. Nearest Libraries: On the go? Turn on your location services to find other Pillar Libraries near you. View them on the map or get directions from your location. The app even makes it easy to see which nearby libraries are currently open. My Account: Is your book overdue? Is your DVD ready for pickup? View your current loans and check the status of items on hold in your account information. Pillar Libraries is a nonprofit alliance of New Jersey public libraries in Morris, Essex, Hunterdon, Somerset, Union, Sussex, and Warren counties.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: STELLA Libraries at 60% against Pillar Libraries (NJ)'s 0%. STELLA Libraries also leads on rating (3.7 vs 3.3) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). Pillar Libraries (NJ)'s advantage is update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 4 months). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
STELLA Libraries holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 22 and 25 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 60% of STELLA Libraries's written reviews are positive against 0% of Pillar Libraries (NJ)'s.
STELLA Libraries ships an update every 4 months, Pillar Libraries (NJ) every 5 weeks. Both last shipped on October 21, 2026.
| Parameter | STELLA Libraries | Pillar Libraries (NJ) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.7 (22 ratings) — better | 3.3 (25 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 60.0% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 22 | 25 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 5 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 50 MB | 108 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Libraries of Middlesex Automation Consortium | MORRIS AUTOMATED INFORMATION NETWORK (M.A.I.N.) INC. |
Customer experience
STELLA Libraries
Pillar Libraries (NJ)
In-app purchases
STELLA Libraries
No in-app purchases
Pillar Libraries (NJ)
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is STELLA Libraries free?
Is Pillar Libraries (NJ) free?
Which has better reviews, STELLA Libraries or Pillar Libraries (NJ)?
Do STELLA Libraries or Pillar Libraries (NJ) have ads?
Which is updated more often, STELLA Libraries or Pillar Libraries (NJ)?
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