Louis Bay 2nd Library & Community Center
🏢 Bergen County Cooperative Library System (BCCLS) · Hawthorne, New Jersey
Louis Bay 2nd Library & Community Center
Founded in 1913 by a small group of Hawthorne citizens who rented two rooms in the old Post Office for $13 a month, the Louis Bay 2nd Library & Community Center has grown from a handful of donated books into Passaic County's premier library — named in honor of the borough's longtime mayor. In 1991 it made history as the first out-of-county member to join the Bergen County Cooperative Library System (BCCLS), connecting Hawthorne cardholders to one of New Jersey's largest shared library networks.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–9pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–9pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–9pm |
| Thursday | 9am–9pm |
| Friday | 9am–5:30pm |
| Saturday | 10am–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 345 Lafayette Avenue, Hawthorne, NJ 07506
Phone: (973) 427-5745
Website: louisbay2ndlibrary.org
Plus Code: 87G7WRXV+XV (Hawthorne, NJ)
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📖 About Louis Bay 2nd Library & Community Center
The Louis Bay 2nd Library & Community Center stands at 345 Lafayette Avenue in Hawthorne, a borough in Passaic County, New Jersey. It began in 1913 when a small group of concerned citizens formed the Hawthorne Public Library Association and rented two rooms in the old Post Office building for $13 a month to house a collection of donated books. In 1931 a dedicated building was erected, and in 1957 the Library Association donated the building and its contents to the Borough, making it a municipally managed public library. The current structure — whose main library and Children's Wing were designed by local architect Larry Tromeur — serves the surrounding community six days a week. In 1991 Louis Bay 2nd became the first library outside Bergen County to join BCCLS, giving every Hawthorne cardholder access to the shared Polaris catalog of dozens of member libraries across Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Passaic counties.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded in 1913 — one of Passaic County's oldest public libraries, named for longtime Hawthorne mayor Louis Bay II
- First out-of-county member of BCCLS (1991), connecting cardholders to a shared network of libraries across four NJ counties
- Open four evenings per week until 9 pm — ideal for working families and after-school visits
- Dedicated Children's Wing for youth programming, storytimes and early literacy
- Community center programming space available for residents and local organizations
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Every Hawthorne library card unlocks free digital content through the BCCLS network and New Jersey's statewide resources:
📚 Services
- Free public library card (also valid at all BCCLS member libraries)
- BCCLS Polaris shared catalog — request items from dozens of NJ libraries
- Public computers with internet access and free Wi-Fi throughout
- Printing, copying and fax services
- Interlibrary loan for materials not in the BCCLS network
- Community center meeting and program rooms
- Reference and reader's advisory assistance
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytimes and early literacy programs
- After-school homework help
- Teen programs and activities
- Adult programming and book discussions
- Summer reading program for all ages
- Community events organized by the Friends of the Louis Bay 2nd Library
📍 Nearby Libraries in Bergen County, NJ
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Hawthorne · Browse all New Jersey libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Louis Bay, and why is the library named after him?
Louis Bay II served as Hawthorne's mayor for many years and was a prominent civic figure in the borough. When the Hawthorne Public Library was renamed in his honor, it recognized his long commitment to the community. The '2nd' in the name distinguishes him from his father, Louis Bay Sr.
What is BCCLS, and how does a Hawthorne library card help me use other libraries?
BCCLS stands for the Bergen County Cooperative Library System, a consortium of public libraries in Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Passaic counties. Louis Bay 2nd joined in 1991 as the first out-of-county member. With your Hawthorne card you can borrow from — and return items to — any of the participating BCCLS libraries using the shared Polaris catalog at catalog.bccls.org.
Does the library have evening and weekend hours?
Yes. The library is open Monday through Thursday 9 am–9 pm, Friday 9 am–5:30 pm, and Saturday 10 am–5 pm. It is closed on Sundays. The four late evenings make it convenient for residents who work or go to school during the day.
What is the Community Center part of the library?
Over the decades the library expanded its role beyond book lending to become a full community center for Hawthorne. It offers meeting and programming space available to residents and local organizations, and hosts community events, adult programs, children's activities and exhibits throughout the year.
🖨 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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