Bloomfield Public Library
🏢 Bergen County Cooperative Library System · Bloomfield, New Jersey
Bloomfield Public Library
Founded in 1902 as the Jarvie Memorial Library and housed since 1927 in its handsome colonial brick building at 90 Broad Street, Bloomfield Public Library is Essex County's community anchor for reading, learning, and digital access — open six days a week with evening hours Monday through Wednesday.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–8pm |
| Thursday | 9am–6pm |
| Friday | 9am–5pm |
| Saturday | 9am–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 90 Broad Street, Bloomfield, NJ 07003
Phone: (973) 566-6200
Website: bplnj.org
Plus Code: 87G7QRW3+H3 (Bloomfield, NJ)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Bloomfield Public Library
Bloomfield Public Library traces its roots to 1902, when local businessman James Newbegin Jarvie established the Jarvie Memorial Library at Westminster Presbyterian Church in memory of his parents. In 1923 he donated the library, its collection and $60,000 to the township, and in March 1927 the permanent 17,000-square-foot colonial brick building at 90 Broad Street — designed by architect John F. Capen — opened to the public. A 1967 expansion added a new main library wing and converted the original first floor into a dedicated Children's Library; two years later the lower level became a theater that still hosts live music, films and lectures. Today the library belongs to the Bergen County Cooperative Library System (BCCLS), giving cardholders access to millions of items across more than 70 member libraries in addition to Bloomfield's own rich local collection of print, digital and genealogy resources.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded in 1902 by businessman James Newbegin Jarvie — one of Essex County's oldest public library institutions
- Colonial brick landmark at 90 Broad Street, designed by architect John F. Capen and opened March 1927
- Dedicated Children's Library on the original first floor and a lower-level theater hosting live music, films and lectures
- BCCLS member: one card unlocks 70+ libraries and millions of items across Bergen, Essex and Passaic counties
- Genealogy collection, museum passes, mobile Wi-Fi hotspots, adult literacy and ESL services under one roof
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Bloomfield cardholders can read, research and stream free with BCCLS and New Jersey's statewide digital services:
📚 Services
- Museum passes to area cultural institutions (free with library card)
- Mobile Wi-Fi hotspot lending for at-home internet access
- Genealogy research collection and resources
- Adult literacy and ESL programs
- Citizenship preparation assistance
- Digitization station for personal documents and photos
- Public computers, printing, copying and free Wi-Fi
- Talking Books and Braille services through the NJ State Library
- Spanish-language materials and services
- Interlibrary loan through BCCLS
🎸 Programs
- Kids and family programming, storytimes and craft activities
- Teen services and after-school programs
- Monthly book clubs and reading groups
- Live music, film screenings and lectures in the lower-level theater
- Community clubs and themed events throughout the year
📍 Nearby Libraries in Essex & Hudson Counties
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Bloomfield · Browse all New Jersey libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How old is the Bloomfield Public Library, and what building is it in?
The library was founded in 1902 as the Jarvie Memorial Library, and it has been at 90 Broad Street since March 1927 when businessman James Newbegin Jarvie's gift to the township funded the colonial brick building designed by architect John F. Capen. The building has been expanded over the decades and is now well over 17,000 square feet.
What is BCCLS and what does membership mean for me?
BCCLS is the Bergen County Cooperative Library System, a consortium of more than 70 public libraries across Bergen, Essex and Passaic counties. With a Bloomfield card you can borrow from any member library, place holds online, and access the shared digital catalog at search.bccls.org — giving you millions of books, DVDs, eBooks and audiobooks.
Does Bloomfield Public Library offer museum passes?
Yes. The library lends museum passes to area cultural institutions free of charge for cardholders. Check the library's website or call (973) 566-6200 for the current list of participating museums and how to reserve a pass.
Are there services for non-English speakers or new Americans?
Yes. The library offers Spanish-language materials and services, adult literacy and ESL programs, and citizenship preparation assistance. Staff are available to help connect community members with the right resources.
🎨 This library lends museum passes. See how library museum passes work and find other libraries that lend passes museum passes by state.
📜 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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