Library Company of Burlington
🏢 Burlington County Library System · Burlington, New Jersey
Library Company of Burlington
Chartered by King George II in 1757, the Library Company of Burlington is the oldest library in New Jersey and the seventh oldest in the United States in continuous operation. From a 1864 brownstone on West Union Street, it serves the city of Burlington and Burlington Township with a free full-service collection that includes historical volumes dating back to 1521 — and published the first library catalog printed in America in 1758.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 11am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 11am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 11am–8pm |
| Thursday | 11am–8pm |
| Friday | 1pm–6pm |
| Saturday | 11am–3pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 23 West Union Street, Burlington, NJ 08016
Phone: (609) 386-1273
Website: librarycompanyofburlington.org
Plus Code: 87G734HQ+PR (Burlington, NJ)
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📖 About Library Company of Burlington
The Library Company of Burlington holds a singular place in American library history. Founded in 1757 when Thomas Rodman and John Reading organized a subscription library chartered by King George II, it is the oldest library in New Jersey and is recognized as the seventh oldest in the United States to have remained in continuous operation. Its founding members donated over 700 books, and by 1758 the institution had published what is believed to be the first library catalog ever printed in America. After early decades in rented spaces, the library moved in 1864 into a handsome brownstone on West Union Street — funded in part through contributions from Julia Grant, wife of General Ulysses S. Grant — and expanded with a Children's Room in 1957. Today it maintains historical volumes dating back to 1521 alongside current bestsellers, CDs and DVDs, and offers BLINC card access to the entire Burlington County Library System. The collection and its digitized local-history archive preserve centuries of Burlington City and Burlington Township history.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Oldest library in New Jersey and seventh oldest in the United States in continuous operation — chartered by King George II in 1757
- Published the first library catalog ever printed in America (1758), beginning with a founding collection of over 700 donated books
- 1864 brownstone at 23 West Union Street — funded partly through contributions from Julia Grant (wife of General Ulysses S. Grant)
- Holdings include historical volumes dating back to 1521, alongside digitized Burlington City yearbooks from 1911 to 2001
- BLINC card gives patrons full borrowing privileges across the entire Burlington County Library System
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Library Company of Burlington cardholders access the Burlington County Library System digital collection plus statewide New Jersey resources:
📚 Services
- BLINC card: full borrowing access to all Burlington County Library System locations
- 12 high-speed public computers plus 2 educational workstations with MS Office
- Printing, copying and scanning
- Meeting room for non-profit organizations
- Gallery space and display cases for historical exhibits
- Daily delivery of materials from across the Burlington County Library System
- Reference and professional staff assistance in person and by phone
🎸 Programs
- Youth programming and children's activities
- Book sales and community events
- Local history and genealogy access through digitized collections
- Adult programs and community presentations
📍 Nearby Libraries in Burlington County
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Burlington · Browse all New Jersey libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Library Company of Burlington really one of the oldest libraries in the United States?
Yes. It was chartered by King George II in 1757, making it the oldest library in New Jersey and the seventh oldest in continuous operation in the United States. Its founding members donated over 700 books, and by 1758 the library had published what is considered the first library catalog ever printed in America.
What is the BLINC card, and does the Library Company of Burlington offer it?
The BLINC (Burlington Library Information Network Consortium) card gives cardholders borrowing privileges across the entire Burlington County Library System, including daily delivery of materials to the Library Company of Burlington. It dramatically expands the collection available to patrons of this historic branch.
Does the Library Company of Burlington have historical or genealogy materials?
Yes. The library holds historical volumes dating back as far as 1521 and maintains a digitized collection of Burlington City and Burlington Township yearbooks spanning 1911 to 2001. It also houses the Mark del Costello local history book collection, making it a key resource for Burlington County genealogy and history research.
What are the current hours at the Library Company of Burlington?
The library is open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is closed on Sundays. Note that reduced summer hours apply — confirm at librarycompanyofburlington.org or by calling (609) 386-1273.
🖨 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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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.
