Asbury Park Public Library
🏢 Monmouth County · Asbury Park, New Jersey
Asbury Park Public Library
Founded in 1878 by Helen Bradley, wife of Asbury Park's city founder, the Asbury Park Public Library has stood at the corner of First and Grand Avenues for over 145 years — a Jersey Shore landmark with 100,000+ holdings, beach badge lending, and notary services steps from the boardwalk.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 11am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 11am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 11am–8pm |
| Thursday | 9am–5pm |
| Friday | 9am–5pm |
| Saturday | 10am–3pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 500 First Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Phone: (732) 774-4221
Website: asburyparklibrary.org
Plus Code: 87G76XCV+62 (Asbury Park, NJ)
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📖 About Asbury Park Public Library
The Asbury Park Public Library traces its origins to November 23, 1878, when Helen M. Bradley, wife of city founder James A. Bradley, presided over the formation of the Asbury Park and Ocean Grove Library Association. James Bradley donated the two building lots at the southwest corner of First and Grand Avenues, and in 1881 he worked with a New York City architect to design a building housing an auditorium and museum alongside the library. The library was incorporated as a free municipal public library in 1901 and has been a civic anchor of Monmouth County's most famous shore city ever since. Today its collection exceeds 100,000 holdings and the library operates independently of the Monmouth County system, offering digital resources through hoopla and JerseyClicks statewide databases, notary services, and — uniquely for a New Jersey library — a program to borrow Asbury Park beach badges, donated through the AP Community Beach Badge Fund.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded 1878 by Helen M. Bradley on land donated by city founder James Bradley — one of New Jersey's oldest shore-town public libraries
- 100,000+ item collection serving Asbury Park's diverse oceanfront community independently of the county system
- Beach badge lending program — resident cardholders may borrow up to two adult and two teen badges for four-day periods
- Notary services available by appointment, $2.50 per seal, during all open hours
- Open three evenings per week (Mon–Wed until 8 pm) for after-work and after-school visits
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Asbury Park cardholders can borrow and stream for free with these digital resources:
📚 Services
- Beach badge lending — Asbury Park resident cardholders may borrow up to 2 adult + 2 teen badges for 4-day periods
- Notary services by appointment, $2.50 per seal, available all open hours (Mon–Wed 11am–8pm, Thu–Fri 9am–5pm, Sat 10am–3pm)
- Cultural passes — access to local institutions for cardholders
- Bike lock rentals for patrons
- Public computers with internet access; printing, copying, scanning, and faxing
- Free Wi-Fi throughout the building
- Interlibrary loan via JerseyCat statewide system
- Reference and readers' advisory assistance
- Digital downloads: hoopla, Libby/eLibraryNJ
🎸 Programs
- Summer reading program for children, teens, and adults
- Community events and author programs
- Children's programming and storytimes
- Adult learning and literacy programs
- Digital resource tutorials and computer help
📍 Nearby Libraries in Monmouth County
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Asbury Park · Browse all New Jersey libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How does the beach badge lending program work, and who is eligible?
The Asbury Park Public Library lends beach badges donated through the AP Community Beach Badge Fundraiser. Only Asbury Park resident library cardholders are eligible. You may borrow up to two adult badges and two teen badges at one time for a period of four days. Badges cannot be renewed or placed on hold and must be returned to the library in person — they cannot go in the book drop. Children 12 and under do not require a badge on Asbury Park beaches.
What is the history of the Asbury Park Public Library?
The library was founded on November 23, 1878, when Helen M. Bradley — wife of city founder James Adam Bradley — presided over the formation of the Asbury Park and Ocean Grove Library Association. James Bradley donated two building lots at the southwest corner of First and Grand Avenues, and in 1881 he collaborated with a New York City architect on a building that also housed an auditorium and museum. The library was incorporated as a free municipal public library in 1901 and has served the community independently for more than 125 years.
Are notary services available, and do I need an appointment?
Yes. Notary services are available by appointment at a fee of $2.50 per seal. Appointments are available during all open hours: Monday–Wednesday 11 am–8 pm, Thursday–Friday 9 am–5 pm, and Saturday 10 am–3 pm. Call (732) 774-4221 to schedule.
Is the Asbury Park Public Library part of the Monmouth County Library system?
No. The Asbury Park Public Library operates independently of the Monmouth County Library system. It has its own collection of over 100,000 holdings and its own catalog. However, Asbury Park cardholders can access statewide resources through JerseyCat, New Jersey's virtual interlibrary loan system, which covers over 700 public and college libraries across the state.
🎨 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.
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