East Rutherford Memorial Library
🏢 Bergen County Cooperative Library System · East Rutherford, New Jersey
East Rutherford Memorial Library
Opened in 1951 and dedicated as a monument to all who served in the nation's armed forces, the East Rutherford Memorial Library at 143 Boiling Springs Avenue is one of Bergen County's most meaningful public buildings. Its striking stained-glass window depicts the Iwo Jima flag-raising, honors the Four Chaplains of the SS Dorchester and incorporates emblems of every military branch — a living tribute that greets visitors in the reading room every day.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–8pm |
| Thursday | 10am–8pm |
| Friday | 12pm–5pm |
| Saturday | 10am–4pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 143 Boiling Springs Avenue, East Rutherford, NJ 07073
Phone: (201) 939-3930
Website: eastrutherford.bccls.org
Plus Code: 87G7RWM2+5J (East Rutherford, NJ)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About East Rutherford Memorial Library
The East Rutherford Memorial Library was constructed in 1951 and dedicated to the men and women who gave of themselves in service to the United States. The 'Memorial' in its name is no mere formality: the building's focal point is an extraordinary stained-glass window that depicts the February 23, 1945 flag-raising at Iwo Jima, commemorates the four military chaplains who perished when the SS Dorchester sank in 1943, and incorporates the emblems of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Corps, Artillery, Medical Corps and Band Corps alongside the Medal of Honor, the Purple Heart and the seals of the United States and New Jersey. The color palette — blue for loyalty, red for courage, green for victory, yellow for blessings and white for faith — gives the window additional ceremonial meaning. Today the library is a member of the Bergen County Cooperative Library System (BCCLS), providing East Rutherford cardholders access to holdings across Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Passaic counties. Its services include museum passes, book clubs for adults, ESL classes, children's storytimes, a Library of Things and 24/7 online reference via chat.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Built and dedicated in 1951 as a living memorial to all Americans who served in the military — one of very few public library buildings in NJ with an explicit war memorial purpose
- Extraordinary stained-glass window depicting the Iwo Jima flag-raising (1945) and honoring the Four Chaplains of the SS Dorchester (1943), with emblems of all military branches
- BCCLS member: cardholders access holdings across Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Passaic counties
- Museum passes program for cultural institutions in the greater New York area
- Open until 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; chat reference available 10am–1pm and 7–9pm weekdays
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
East Rutherford cardholders can stream, download and learn free through the BCCLS digital collection and statewide NJ resources:
📚 Services
- Museum passes to cultural institutions in the greater New York metro area
- Library of Things: borrow equipment and specialty items
- Mobile hotspots for checkout
- Public computers, printing ('Print it, Please!'), and free Wi-Fi
- Board game collection
- ESL classes
- Live chat reference: weekdays 10am–1pm and 7–9pm
- Reader's advisory and reference assistance
🎸 Programs
- Afternoon Book Club and Novels at Night Book Club
- Chess Mates (adult chess)
- ESL Classes for adults
- Children's storytimes and programs
- Tween & teen programs, homework help and college/scholarship info
- 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
- Summer reading program
📍 Nearby Libraries in Bergen County
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in East Rutherford · Browse all New Jersey libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called the East Rutherford Memorial Library?
The library was constructed in 1951 and dedicated as a monument to all those who gave of themselves in service to the country. The dedication is made tangible by the building's striking stained-glass window, which depicts the Iwo Jima flag-raising of 1945 and commemorates the Four Chaplains who perished when the SS Dorchester sank in 1943, alongside emblems of all military branches.
What is the famous stained-glass window at East Rutherford Memorial Library?
The window depicts the February 23, 1945 Iwo Jima flag-raising, honors the four military chaplains (Catholic, Jewish and Protestant) who gave their life jackets to soldiers when the SS Dorchester sank in 1943, and incorporates the seals of the United States and New Jersey, the Medal of Honor, the Purple Heart, and emblems of seven military branches. Its colors — blue for loyalty, red for courage, green for victory, yellow for blessings and white for faith — carry symbolic meaning.
Does East Rutherford Memorial Library offer museum passes?
Yes. The library offers a museum pass program through BCCLS for cultural institutions in the greater New York area. Check the Museum Pass Policy page at eastrutherford.bccls.org for participating museums and borrowing procedures.
Can I get live reference help online from this library?
Yes. Staff man a live chat reference service weekdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and again from 7 to 9 p.m. You can also reach the reference desk at (201) 939-3930 during regular hours: Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday noon to 5 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (September through June).
🎨 This library lends museum passes. See how library museum passes work and find other libraries that lend passes museum passes by state.
🧰 This library lends a “Library of Things.” See what you can borrow besides books and find other libraries with a Library of Things Library of Things 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.
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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.