Comparison

Pillar Libraries (NJ) vs BCCLS Libraries (NJ)

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Manage library account
  • Search catalog
  • Renew books
  • Reserve books
  • Mobile access
Features
Read full description

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.

About

BCCLS Libraries (NJ)

Manage your library account on the go. Find nearby branches, search the catalog, renew and reserve items, and access online resources. Stay informed about library events and display your virtual card.

Highlights
  • Find nearest library
  • Manage library account
  • Search catalog
  • Renew and reserve materials
  • Virtual library card
  • View upcoming events
  • Explore online resources
Features
Read full description

Access BCCLS Libraries from your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. Find the nearest library, manage your account, search the catalog, renew and reserve materials, display your virtual library card, see upcoming events, explore available online resources, and stay connected to your local library!

Screenshots

Pillar Libraries (NJ)4 screens
BCCLS Libraries (NJ)4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: BCCLS Libraries (NJ) at 3.6 against Pillar Libraries (NJ)'s 3.3. BCCLS Libraries (NJ) also leads on review sentiment (20% vs 0%) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

BCCLS Libraries (NJ) holds the better App Store score, 3.6 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 25 and 22 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of Pillar Libraries (NJ)'s written reviews are positive against 20% of BCCLS Libraries (NJ)'s.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pillar Libraries (NJ) ships an update every 5 weeks, BCCLS Libraries (NJ) every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Pillar Libraries (NJ) versus BCCLS Libraries (NJ): the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPillar Libraries (NJ)BCCLS Libraries (NJ)
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.3 (25 ratings)3.6 (22 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews20.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings25 — better22
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size108 MB50 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperMORRIS AUTOMATED INFORMATION NETWORK (M.A.I.N.) INC.Bergen County Cooperative Library System, Inc.

Customer experience

Pillar Libraries (NJ)

All ratings25 ratings
Positive52.0%
Neutral4.0%
Negative44.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

BCCLS Libraries (NJ)

All ratings22 ratings
Positive54.5%
Neutral22.7%
Negative22.7%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive20.0%
Neutral40.0%
Negative40.0%

In-app purchases

None

Pillar Libraries (NJ)

No in-app purchases

None

BCCLS Libraries (NJ)

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Pillar Libraries (NJ) free?
Pillar Libraries (NJ) is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is BCCLS Libraries (NJ) free?
BCCLS Libraries (NJ) is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Pillar Libraries (NJ) or BCCLS Libraries (NJ)?
BCCLS Libraries (NJ) is rated higher. Pillar Libraries (NJ) averages 3.3 out of 5 from 25 ratings, while BCCLS Libraries (NJ) averages 3.6 from 22 ratings.
Do Pillar Libraries (NJ) or BCCLS Libraries (NJ) have ads?
Neither Pillar Libraries (NJ) nor BCCLS Libraries (NJ) shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Pillar Libraries (NJ) or BCCLS Libraries (NJ)?
Pillar Libraries (NJ) ships an update every 5 weeks, and BCCLS Libraries (NJ) every 2 months. Most recently, Pillar Libraries (NJ) was updated on October 24, 2026 and BCCLS Libraries (NJ) on October 24, 2026.

Other comparisons