Hillside Free Public Library
🏢 STELLA! Library Consortium · Hillside, New Jersey
Hillside Free Public Library
Hillside Free Public Library serves 22,000 Union County residents at 1409 Liberty Avenue with a 122,000-item collection, evening hours four days a week, and free access to license plate renewals, language learning, and the STELLA! shared catalog of 43 New Jersey libraries.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–6pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–8pm |
| Thursday | 10am–8pm |
| Friday | 10am–6pm |
| Saturday | 10am–4:30pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 1409 Liberty Avenue, Hillside, NJ 07205
Phone: (973) 923-4413
Website: hillsidepl.org
Plus Code: 87G7PQ2C+9F (Hillside, NJ)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Hillside Free Public Library
The Hillside Free Public Library anchors civic life in Hillside Township, one of Union County's most ethnically diverse communities. The library holds more than 61,000 print volumes, 36,000 eBooks, and a broad media collection available to all residents with a free library card. As a member of the STELLA! consortium — 43 libraries spanning Union, Middlesex, and Monmouth counties — a Hillside card unlocks more than 3.2 million items. The library is also a member of M.U.R.A.L., enabling further interlibrary lending throughout northern New Jersey. Director Christal Blue leads programming offered in nine or more languages, making the library a true multilingual community hub. Unique among Union County libraries, the branch handles on-site New Jersey license plate renewal as a public service to residents.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Member of STELLA! — shared catalog of 43 NJ libraries with 3.2 million items across Union, Middlesex & Monmouth counties
- On-site New Jersey license plate renewal — a free public service available at the library
- Collection of 61,000+ print volumes and 36,000 eBooks plus audio, video and research databases
- Multilingual services and materials in nine-plus languages reflecting Hillside's diverse community
- Evening hours Monday, Wednesday & Thursday until 8 pm for after-work and after-school visits
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Hillside cardholders can read, stream and research 24/7 through the STELLA! consortium and statewide NJ resources:
📚 Services
- Free library card for Hillside and Union County residents
- New Jersey license plate renewal (on-site)
- Notary public services at no charge
- Public computers, printing, scanning & free Wi-Fi
- Meeting room rental for educational and cultural programs
- Interlibrary loan through STELLA! and M.U.R.A.L. consortia
- Reference and reader's advisory assistance
- Mobile hotspot lending
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytimes and youth reading programs
- Chess club and crafternoon activities for kids and teens
- ESL and English conversation classes
- Adult cooking and life-skills workshops
- Summer reading challenge for all ages
- Free driver's education course
- Cultural programs reflecting community diversity
📍 Nearby Libraries in Union & Essex Counties, NJ
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Hillside · Browse all New Jersey libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is STELLA! and what does it mean for my Hillside library card?
STELLA! is a shared catalog and borrowing network of 43 public libraries across Union, Middlesex, and Monmouth counties in New Jersey. A Hillside Free Public Library card gives you access to more than 3.2 million items across all member libraries — request titles online and pick them up at Hillside or have them delivered to a branch convenient to you.
Can I renew my New Jersey license plates at the Hillside Free Public Library?
Yes. The library offers on-site New Jersey license plate renewal as a free public service for residents — one of several practical civic services available at the branch alongside computer access, notary, and ESL classes.
What days and times is the Hillside Free Public Library open?
The library is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 10 am–8 pm; Tuesday and Friday 10 am–6 pm; Saturday 10 am–4:30 pm (note: the library is closed Saturdays from Memorial Day through Labor Day); and closed Sunday.
Does the library offer free digital resources I can use from home?
Yes. With a free Hillside card you can borrow eBooks and audiobooks through Libby/OverDrive, stream movies and music on Hoopla, access JerseyClicks statewide databases (EBSCO, HeritageQuest, Consumer Reports), and use Peterson's for test prep — all at no cost, 24/7.
📋 This library offers notary services. See what a library notary can do — what to bring, fees and appointments — and find other libraries with a notary notary services 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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