Bayonne Free Public Library
🏢 Free Public Library & Cultural Center of Bayonne · Bayonne, New Jersey
Bayonne Free Public Library
One of New Jersey's original Carnegie libraries, the Bayonne Free Public Library has anchored 697 Avenue C since its 1904 opening — a Beaux-Arts and Classical Revival landmark with Ionic and Doric columns that still serves Bayonne's 62,000 residents more than 120 years on.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–9pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–9pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–9pm |
| Thursday | 9am–9pm |
| Friday | 9am–5pm |
| Saturday | 9am–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 697 Avenue C, Bayonne, NJ 07002
Phone: (201) 858-6971
Website: bayonnelibrary.org
Plus Code: 87G7MVCM+MQ (Bayonne, NJ)
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📖 About Bayonne Free Public Library
The Bayonne Free Public Library was incorporated in 1890 and built with an $83,000 Carnegie grant awarded April 13, 1903, making it one of New Jersey's original 36 Carnegie libraries. Architect Edward Lippincott Tilton designed the Beaux-Arts and Classical Revival building with its ornamental Ionic and Doric columns; a rectangular annex was added in 1914 and Charles Shilowitz designed two large wings forming an inner courtyard between 1929 and 1933. A Memorial Day fire in 1959 gutted the interior and roof, but a $1.25 million restoration reopened the building in 1963. Re-dedicated in 1989 as the Free Public Library & Cultural Center of Bayonne, it today houses the Mary O'Connor Gallery for performing and visual arts alongside its full public library collection and community meeting spaces.
⭐ What makes this library special
- One of New Jersey's original 36 Carnegie libraries — $83,000 grant (1903), architect Edward Lippincott Tilton
- Beaux-Arts and Classical Revival landmark with Ionic and Doric columns, in continuous use since 1904
- Historic Carnegie wings expanded 1914 and 1929–1933; restored after 1959 fire and re-dedicated 1989
- The Mary O'Connor Gallery hosts performing and visual arts programs and interactive cultural events
- Extended weeknight hours (open until 9pm Monday through Thursday) for after-work and after-school visits
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Bayonne cardholders access free digital resources through the library and New Jersey's statewide programs:
📚 Services
- Circulation of books, DVDs, audiobooks and magazines
- Reference and research assistance
- Children's Room with youth programming and storytimes
- Art & Music Room with curated collection
- Archives and local history collection
- Public computers, printing and free Wi-Fi
- Mary O'Connor Gallery — cultural and performing arts events
- Meeting and program space on the lower level
- Interlibrary loan through the New Jersey library network
- Volunteer and outreach programs
🎸 Programs
- Children's and youth programming and storytimes
- Teen services and young adult programs
- Adult programs and community events
- Cultural and arts programming at the Mary O'Connor Gallery
- Online tutoring and college admissions assistance (HelpNow / CollegeNow)
📍 Nearby Libraries in Hudson County, NJ
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Bayonne · Browse all New Jersey libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Bayonne Free Public Library a Carnegie library?
Yes. It is one of New Jersey's original 36 Carnegie libraries. The Carnegie Corporation awarded an $83,000 grant on April 13, 1903, and the building designed by architect Edward Lippincott Tilton opened in 1904. Andrew Carnegie later donated an additional $30,000 in 1913 for an expansion, and the building continued to grow with wings added between 1929 and 1933.
What happened to the library in 1959?
A Memorial Day fire in 1959 badly burned the central interior and roof of the historic Carnegie building. After a $1.25 million restoration, the library reopened to the public in 1963. It was re-dedicated in 1989 as the Free Public Library & Cultural Center of Bayonne.
What is the Mary O'Connor Gallery?
The Mary O'Connor Gallery is the library's arts and cultural space, hosting visual art exhibitions, performing arts events and interactive community programs. It is part of the library's mission as both a public library and a cultural center for Bayonne.
What are the library's regular hours?
Regular hours are Monday through Thursday 9am–9pm, Friday and Saturday 9am–5pm, and closed Sunday. Summer hours (July and August) are Monday through Thursday 9am–9pm, Friday 9am–5pm, and Saturday and Sunday closed. Check the library website for holiday closings.
📜 This library has genealogy & local-history resources. See how library family-history research works and find other libraries with genealogy collections genealogy libraries by state.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
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