Lee Memorial Library
🏢 Bergen County · Allendale, New Jersey
Lee Memorial Library
Serving Allendale since 1900, Lee Memorial Library is a nationally-ranked lending library in the Saddle River Valley — open seven days a week, with museum passes to New York City institutions and a notary public on site.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 500 W. CRESCENT AVENUE, ALLENDALE, NJ 07401
Phone: (201) 327-4338
Website: leememoriallibrary.org
Plus Code: 87H72VH6+RV (ALLENDALE, NJ)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Lee Memorial Library
Allendale's library traces its roots to 1900, when the newly formed Allendale Library Association opened a modest reading room in a local school with around 600 items available to borrow. After years of community fundraising, the Library Association achieved its goal in December 1926 with the grand opening of its first permanent home at the corner of Franklin Turnpike and Allendale Avenue. In 1952, borough residents voted to bring the library under municipal operation, and the board of trustees unanimously named it Lee Memorial Library in memory of William C. Lee, a dedicated civic figure who had died that July. The library moved to its current location at 500 West Crescent Avenue in 1978. Today Lee Memorial Library circulates over 150,000 print and digital materials annually and serves Allendale — a community of approximately 6,500 residents 25 miles west of New York City — through the Bergen County Cooperative Library System (BCCLS) shared catalog. Museum passes to eight major New York City venues, a notary public, ESL tutoring, STEM kits, and a full schedule of cultural programming make it one of Bergen County's most complete small-town libraries.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded 1900 — named Lee Memorial Library in 1952 in honor of civic leader William C. Lee
- Over 150,000 print and digital materials circulated annually
- Museum passes to 8 NYC institutions including MoMA, AMNH, the Guggenheim, and the 9/11 Memorial
- Notary public available on site — free for Allendale residents
- Open 7 days a week, including evenings Monday through Thursday until 9:00 PM
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Your Lee Memorial Library card unlocks these free digital resources:
📚 Services
- Free library cards for Allendale borough residents
- Museum passes to 8 NYC institutions (MoMA, AMNH, Guggenheim, 9/11 Memorial, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Frick Collection, Intrepid, Storm King — first-come, first-served at circulation desk)
- Notary public available on site
- ESL tutoring for adult learners
- STEM kits for children and teens (funded by Friends of the Library)
- Printing, copying, and scanning
- Free Wi-Fi throughout the building
- Medicare information resources for older adults
🎸 Programs
- Year-round programming for all ages: infants, toddlers, children, teens, and adults
- Beat of America Concert Series — live cultural performances
- Summer reading program (children, teens, adults)
- STEM activities and hands-on workshops for kids
- ESL tutoring sessions
- Weekly email newsletters for adults, teens, and children subscribers
📍 Nearby Libraries in Bergen County
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in ALLENDALE · Browse all New Jersey libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was William C. Lee, and why is the library named in his memory?
William C. Lee was a prominent Allendale civic figure who died in July 1952. When residents voted that year to convert the library from an association-run institution to a free municipal library, the board of trustees unanimously chose to name it Lee Memorial Library in his honor, recognizing his contributions to the community.
How do the museum passes work at Lee Memorial Library?
Lee Memorial Library offers passes to eight major institutions — MoMA, the American Museum of Natural History, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the Frick Collection, the Guggenheim, the Intrepid, the 9/11 Memorial, and Storm King Art Center. Allendale residents may borrow one pass at a time for two days, on a first-come, first-served basis at the circulation desk. The Friends of the Library help fund the program.
Does Lee Memorial Library have a notary public?
Yes — notary public services are available on site at the library. This is especially convenient for residents who need documents notarized without making a separate appointment elsewhere. Contact the library at (201) 327-4338 to confirm current availability and any scheduling requirements.
Is Lee Memorial Library open on Sundays?
Yes — the library is open Sundays from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, making it one of the few Bergen County libraries with full seven-day service. Note that Saturday hours may be reduced to 10:00 AM–2:00 PM during summer; contact the library for the current seasonal schedule.
🎨 This library lends museum passes. See how library museum passes work and find other libraries that lend passes museum passes by state.
📋 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.
🎓 This library offers free English (ESL) or citizenship classes. See how library English classes work — free, usually no card needed, with ESL levels, conversation groups and citizenship prep — and find other libraries with classes free English classes by state.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.
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