Highland Park Public Library
🏢 Middlesex County · Highland Park, New Jersey
Highland Park Public Library
Highland Park Public Library has anchored this Middlesex County borough on the Raritan River since 1922 — growing from G. Wallace Conover's first lending room into a seven-day community hub that circulates 178,000+ items a year, stays open until 9 p.m. three nights a week, and offers Libby, hoopla, Kanopy, and Comics Plus for free with every card.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–9pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–9pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–5pm |
| Thursday | 10am–9pm |
| Friday | 10am–5pm |
| Saturday | 10am–5pm |
| Sunday | 1pm–5pm |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 31 N. Fifth Avenue, Highland Park, NJ 08904
Phone: (732) 572-2750
Website: hpplnj.org
Plus Code: 87G7GH2G+M6 (Highland Park, NJ)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Highland Park Public Library
The Highland Park Public Library was founded in 1922, when G. Wallace Conover established the borough's first lending library, which circulated over 20,000 books in its first year. In 1946 the library moved to a larger rented space; by 1959 it occupied its own building on North Sixth Avenue. Major improvements followed in 1966 and 1977, and a significant expansion and refurbishment was completed in 1994, relocating the library to its present address at 31 N. Fifth Avenue. Today the library draws more than 3,400 patrons each week, circulates over 178,000 items annually, and hosts more than 3,800 participants in library programs. Serving a diverse Middlesex County community across the Raritan River from New Brunswick — near Rutgers University — the library's mission centers on promoting literacy, learning, and civic engagement. It also supports adults and older teens with intellectual or developmental disabilities through the Next Chapter Book Club.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded 1922 by G. Wallace Conover — circulated over 20,000 books in its very first year of operation
- Open seven days a week including Sundays 1–5 pm; evening hours until 9 pm Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday
- Circulates 178,000+ items annually to a diverse Middlesex County community near Rutgers University
- Next Chapter Book Club for adults and older teens with intellectual or developmental disabilities
- Full digital suite: Libby, hoopla, Kanopy, Comics Plus, and JerseyClicks statewide databases
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Highland Park cardholders can download, stream, and research free with these digital resources:
📚 Services
- Public computers with internet access, Microsoft Office, and Adobe Acrobat
- Free Wi-Fi throughout the building
- Interlibrary loan via JerseyCat — search 700+ NJ public and college libraries
- Next Chapter Book Club for adults and older teens with intellectual or developmental disabilities
- BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Database) assistance for eligible patrons
- Digital downloads: Libby, hoopla, Kanopy, Comics Plus
- Reference and readers' advisory assistance in person and by phone
- Wireless internet access and searchable online databases
🎸 Programs
- Next Chapter Book Club — for adults and older teens with intellectual or developmental disabilities
- Children's storytimes and youth programming
- Adult programs and educational events
- Summer reading program for all ages
- Community and civic engagement programs
- Computer and digital literacy help sessions
📍 Nearby Libraries in Middlesex County
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Highland Park · Browse all New Jersey libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Highland Park Public Library founded, and how has it grown?
The library was founded in 1922 by G. Wallace Conover, and circulated over 20,000 books in its first year of operation. In 1946 it moved to a larger rented space, and in 1959 it moved into its own building on North Sixth Avenue. Improvements in 1966 and 1977 were followed by a major expansion and refurbishment in 1994 that brought the library to its current location at 31 N. Fifth Avenue. Today it draws more than 3,400 patrons per week and circulates over 178,000 items annually.
What is the Next Chapter Book Club, and who can participate?
The Next Chapter Book Club is a community reading program offered by Highland Park Public Library for adults and older teens who have intellectual or developmental disabilities. Members meet regularly to read and discuss books in a supportive, inclusive setting. The program is free and open to the public; library card holders in Highland Park receive first consideration when space is limited.
Does the library offer streaming video and digital comics, and how do I access them?
Yes. With a Highland Park Public Library card you can stream films and documentaries through Kanopy (highlandpark.kanopy.com), borrow eBooks, audiobooks, and music through hoopla (hoopladigital.com), and read thousands of digital comics, graphic novels, and manga through Comics Plus — all with no waitlists. You can also borrow eBooks and audiobooks via Libby/OverDrive (libbyapp.com).
What are the library's hours, including evenings and Sundays?
The library is open seven days a week. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Wednesday and Friday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Summer Saturday hours are 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Call (732) 572-2750 for holiday schedule updates.
✎ Notice something out of date? Suggest a correction and we’ll verify and update it.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.