Public Libraries in Jersey City
Public Libraries are a valuable resource to the community, constantly providing valuable services that engage children and families, inspire creativity, and enrich minds. Hudson County’s Local Libraries are a vital resource for multicultural families, high schoolers needing digital media and internet access, ESL parents and children, and the general community. Education is the key to success. With events like Financial Literacy Classes, Story Time Events, and ESL classes, we want people to know exactly what our libraries offer. With many family-friendly programs, activities, workshops, classes, and events, your local Library is your main resource for community and culture, so it’s important to know where your resources are. JCFamilies has complied with this Directory and Guide to Public Libraries located in Jersey City.
Public libraries are great for adults, kids, and families. They are the perfect spot to borrow books, read, relax, work, or partake in a variety of educational activities. Even better is the fact becoming a member of a public library is affordable – because it is free! So, take the kids and head off to the library for some quiet reading and learning time at these public libraries in Jersey City.
Jersey City Free Public Library
472 Jersey Ave. Jersey City, NJ 07302
Founded in 1889, the Jersey City Free Public Library is the largest municipal library in the State of New Jersey. The library features “400,000+ pieces of printed, audiovisual, and electronic resources that address the needs of the truly multicultural clientele of the city’s 240,055 population,” so there is endless reading and educational material. The library also has a full online catalog, so you can browse the library’s selection from home before heading out to the branch of your choice. This is a great feature if you are looking for a specific book – like if your child needs a book for school or a certain piece of research literature. This makes it one of the best public libraries in Jersey City.
The Priscilla Gardner Main Library is the main library which has a history dating back to 1899 and 1901 when the doors first opened. The Reference Department, Bonetti Children’s Room, New Jersey Room, Biblioteca Criolla, Literacy Department, and administrative offices are located here.
Children’s Room
The main library branch features a children’s room. The children’s room is meant for kids up to 8th grade and has an array of colorful decor that helps kids learn, grow, and thrive in their environment. They also have story hour, arts and crafts, movies, and a LEGO club to partake in! All are free to library members.
Public Library Branches
The Main Library also has several smaller branches throughout Jersey City.
Five Corners Branch
678 Newark Ave., Jersey City, NJ 07306
This is one of the most popular and busiest public libraries in Jersey City. It is known as a Fine Arts Library with cultural and arts presentations. It houses the Media Arts, and the Art and Music Reference Collection, It has everything you need in a library, with plenty of space to spread out, read, research, and find quiet time.
Glenn D. Cunningham Branch
275 Martin Luther King Dr., Jersey City, NJ 07305
This Regional branch now provides a wide variety of picture books for children, fiction and non-fiction for young adults, as well as significant collections of books on Abraham Lincoln and the U.S. Civil War in commemoration of the 200th birthday of our nation’s 16th president and the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War. Books in the Reference area have received a much-needed augmentation, including new Library materials on African-American history and test preparation materials, such as the SAT, GRE, and Civil Service Exam. A community meeting and program space, an outdoor shaded reading area, and a children’s paving stone maze are the other facilities offered by this branch of the library.
Earl A. Morgan Branch
1841 Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07305
With all of the regular features of a typical library, this branch also has a brand new auditorium and an Afro-American Historical Society Museum on the second floor. It preserves and shares the African American history and culture of Jersey City.
Heights Branch
14 Zabriskie St., Jersey City, NJ 07307
The Heights branch has many unique features but has everything a regular library has. In recent years an additional seating area was added for more space for visitors to enjoy. This branch has a presentation and program room, offering a space for various events and activities. The library provides engaging activities for all ages, from storytimes and arts and crafts to author talks and workshops in technology. It houses Reference, Young adults, Children’s, and preschool areas.
Miller Branch
489 Bergen Ave., Jersey City, NJ 07304
This location features The Computer Learning Resource Center and MacBret Room with Mac computers, laser printers, scanners, flatscreen TVs, cordless headphones, and more. They also have a special teen center in the library and have an extensive collection of African American History books, articles, resources, etc. These features make it one of the best public libraries in Jersey City.
Pavonia Branch
326 Eighth St., Jersey City, NJ 07302
Pavonia Branch offers many different classes, is great for young professionals who live close to the branch, and is great for families and children. The library participates in many local festivals and has extended weekend hours. The branch offers storytimes, craft activities, and children’s programs as well as technology workshops and summer reading programs. This is a safe and engaging space for children to learn, grow, and explore.
The West Bergen Branch Library
546 West Side Avenue, Jersey City
The West Bergen Branch Library moved to a new space at 546 West Side Avenue. The new location houses modern and state-of-the-art facilities, providing the best possible for the local children and adults.
Marion Branch
1017 West Side Ave, Jersey City
The Marion Branch has a collection that includes various materials – books and periodicals, audiobooks, and a circulating collection of over 8,000 volumes. It serves the community according to the neighborhood’s requirements.
Children’s programs play a major role here. The library offers storytimes, crafts, technology workshops, and summer reading programs.
Lafayette Branch
307 Pacific Ave, Jersey City
This library is Temporarily Closed (as of August 2024).
Opened in 1924, the Lafayette Branch is currently a modern and welcoming space for patrons after the renovations of 2000. It serves a diverse and rapidly changing neighborhood. The services provided here include programming, storytimes, computer classes, and author talks.
Bookmobile
Two routes
Since 2008, the Bookmobile runs daily, Monday through Friday. It covers two routes in the entire city.
The Bookmobile is a full-service, wheelchair-accessible library branch, providing access to a circulating collection of materials and public access computer terminals. By going to the residents instead of the people having to come to the library, the Bookmobile makes it easier for people to borrow books and media. It is helpful for busy families who otherwise might not have had the time to take their children to the library. The schedule for the Bookmobile is available here.
Hudson Community College Library
71 Sip Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306
If you have a Free Public Library card for Jersey City and have a valid photo ID, you can use this library as well. It is a great quiet place to go and read or study. It is best suited for older kids and adults as it is a college/school-based library.
The mission of the HCCC Library is to support students, staff, and faculty in their pursuit of knowledge. The Library strives to support student success by offering relevant, current, and interesting materials in print and online. It has good online resources like journals, ebooks, databases, and streaming media. It provides facilities like booking a study room that you do online.
The best part is that it has MakerSpace, which is a space where you can get creative, and work on projects. MakerSpace at HCCC Library provides 3D printers, VR headsets, STEM kits, Video games, Podcast equipment, Button makers, and assorted craft items, like paints, markers, craft papers, etc.
Collection highlights include the Culinary Collection, the English as a Second Language Collection, and the College Archives, which includes newsletters, catalogs, yearbooks, handbooks, and photographs relating to the administration, faculty, staff, and students of HCCC.
Updated August 7 2024
