Atlantic City Free Public Library
🏢 Atlantic City Free Public Library · Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City Free Public Library
Atlantic City Free Public Library — officially renamed the William K. Cheatham Building in April 2026 — is one of New Jersey's most historically significant public libraries. Founded in 1901 with a $71,000 Carnegie grant that built its first permanent home in 1905, it now preserves the Atlantic City Heritage Collections: an unrivaled archive of the resort city's history from Boardwalk photographs to gaming-era records.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9:30am–5pm |
| Tuesday | 9:30am–5pm |
| Wednesday | 9:30am–8pm |
| Thursday | 9:30am–8pm |
| Friday | 9:30am–5pm |
| Saturday | 9:30am–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 1 North Tennessee Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Phone: (609) 345-2269
Website: acfpl.org
Plus Code: 87F79H6C+VQ (Atlantic City, 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 Atlantic City Free Public Library
Atlantic City Free Public Library has served the seaside resort city since voters approved its creation in November 1901 with 6,062 votes in favor and only 30 opposed. The library opened on April 3, 1902, first operating from City Hall's third floor, then from a wood-frame house at Illinois and Pacific Avenues. Andrew Carnegie provided $71,000 to build the first permanent library, dedicated January 2, 1905. The current main library — a modern two-story building with capacity for 135,000 volumes — opened on July 31, 1985, at Tennessee and Atlantic Avenues, following a groundbreaking on January 28, 1982. On April 22, 2026, the building was formally named the William K. Cheatham Building, honoring the library's longtime Board of Trustees president. Today the library is perhaps best known for its Atlantic City Heritage Collections (ACHC): a Heston Room archive holding city directories back to 1872, photographs, newspapers and ephemera documenting the birth of American resort culture. A Richmond Avenue Branch at 4115 Ventnor Avenue serves the south end of the island on Tuesday–Wednesday 9:30 am–5 pm. Telehealth pods and mobile printing round out a modern service menu.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded 1901 — first Carnegie-funded building dedicated January 2, 1905 (Carnegie grant: $71,000)
- Current main building renamed the William K. Cheatham Building on April 22, 2026
- Atlantic City Heritage Collections (ACHC): Heston Room with city directories back to 1872, historic photographs and Boardwalk ephemera
- Telehealth pods available for private health appointments — a rare public-library service
- Richmond Avenue Branch at 4115 Ventnor Avenue, open Tuesday–Wednesday 9:30 am–5 pm
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
ACFPL cardholders enjoy 24/7 access to statewide and library-curated digital resources:
📚 Services
- Atlantic City Heritage Collections (ACHC) — Heston Room archive with city directories from 1872, photographs, newspapers
- Atlantic City Genealogy resources
- Telehealth pods for private health appointments
- Mobile printing at both Main Library and Richmond Branch
- Public computers and free Wi-Fi
- Adult education, GED resources and computer classes
- Meeting spaces and program rooms
- Teens & Kids dedicated spaces with homework help and gaming
- Interlibrary loan
🎸 Programs
- Children's and teen programming with dedicated spaces
- Lunch & Learn health and nutrition programs (partnership with AtlantiCare)
- Summer Reading Program
- Free computer classes and digital literacy workshops
- Community events and author programs
- Atlantic City Experience exhibits at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall
📍 Nearby Libraries in Atlantic County
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Atlantic City · Browse all New Jersey libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Atlantic City Heritage Collections and what can I find there?
The Atlantic City Heritage Collections (ACHC) is the library's special archive dedicated to the history of Atlantic City. The Heston Room holds city directories dating back to 1872, historical photographs, Boardwalk ephemera, newspapers, and records spanning the resort's rise from a Victorian beach town to a world-famous gaming destination. It's an essential resource for genealogical research and local history.
When was the Atlantic City Free Public Library founded, and what is the Carnegie connection?
The library was established in November 1901 after voters approved it 6,062 to 30. It opened April 3, 1902, and Andrew Carnegie provided $71,000 to build its first permanent home, dedicated January 2, 1905. The current main building opened in 1985 and was renamed the William K. Cheatham Building on April 22, 2026.
What are the main library's hours, and is there a branch?
The William K. Cheatham Building (1 North Tennessee Ave) is open Monday–Tuesday and Friday–Saturday 9:30 am–5 pm, and Wednesday–Thursday 9:30 am–8 pm; closed Sundays. The Richmond Avenue Branch (4115 Ventnor Ave) is open Tuesday–Wednesday 9:30 am–5 pm.
Does the Atlantic City Free Public Library offer telehealth services?
Yes. The library has telehealth pods that allow patrons to conduct private health appointments on site. This is a relatively rare public-library service and is available at the main William K. Cheatham Building location.
📜 This library has genealogy & local-history resources. See how library family-history research works and find other libraries with genealogy collections genealogy libraries 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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