Metuchen Public Library
🏢 LMxAC / Middlesex County · Metuchen, New Jersey
Metuchen Public Library
The Metuchen Public Library has served the Borough of Metuchen since 1870, and its WPA-era building at 480 Middlesex Avenue — dedicated in 1940 and listed on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places — stands as a Key Contributing site in the Middlesex Avenue-Woodwild Park Historic District.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–9pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–9pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–9pm |
| Thursday | 10am–9pm |
| Friday | 10am–5pm |
| Saturday | 10am–5pm |
| Sunday | 1pm–5pm |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 480 Middlesex Avenue, Metuchen, NJ 08840
Phone: (732) 632-8526
Website: metuchenlibrary.org
Plus Code: 87G7GJVQ+P7 (Metuchen, NJ)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Metuchen Public Library
The Free Public Library of Metuchen began in 1870, making it one of Middlesex County's oldest libraries. Its current home, a New Deal landmark, was started on December 19, 1935 as a WPA project sponsored by the Borough Council, funded jointly by the Works Progress Administration, the Metuchen Library Association, and the estate of the late Princeton professor Theodore Hunt. Designed by architect Aylin Pierson, the building opened and was officially dedicated on February 10, 1940. In 2017 it was recognized as a Key Contributing site in the Middlesex Avenue-Woodwild Park Historic District, listed in both the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places. The library holds approximately 60,680 volumes, circulates more than 131,000 items per year, and is a member of the Libraries of Middlesex Automation Consortium (LMxAC), giving cardholders access to shared collections and NJ statewide resources including JerseyClicks.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded 1870 — one of Middlesex County's oldest public libraries
- WPA-era landmark building dedicated February 10, 1940; listed on the NJ & National Registers of Historic Places since 2017
- Local History Digital Archives with digitized Metuchen photographs, newspapers, and historic documents
- Notary public services available by appointment (charge: $2.50 per signature)
- Open Sunday 1–5 pm and until 9 pm Monday through Thursday for convenient access
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Metuchen cardholders access New Jersey statewide and consortium digital resources for free:
📚 Services
- Notary public service by appointment ($2.50 per signature; email jjohnson@metuchenlibrary.org)
- Local History Digital Archives — digitized Metuchen photographs, newspapers, and historic records
- Public computers with internet access and free Wi-Fi
- Interlibrary loan through LMxAC and JerseyCat statewide catalog
- Reference and reader's advisory assistance
- Printing, copying, and scanning
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytimes and youth programming
- Adult programs and author events
- Summer reading program
- Book discussion groups
- Community programs and Friends of the Library events
📍 Nearby Libraries in Middlesex County
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Metuchen · Browse all New Jersey libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the history of the Metuchen Public Library building?
The library building was constructed beginning December 19, 1935 as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project under the New Deal, jointly funded by the WPA, the Metuchen Library Association, and the estate of Princeton professor Theodore Hunt. Designed by architect Aylin Pierson, the building was officially dedicated on February 10, 1940. In 2017 it was listed as a Key Contributing site in the Middlesex Avenue-Woodwild Park Historic District on both the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places.
Does the Metuchen Public Library offer notary services?
Yes. The library provides limited notary public services by appointment only, for a fee of $2.50 per notarized signature payable by cash or check. To schedule an appointment, email Justine at jjohnson@metuchenlibrary.org.
What digital and local history resources are available?
Cardholders can access Libby for eBooks and audiobooks, JerseyClicks for statewide New Jersey databases (academic journals, genealogy, newspapers), and hoopla for instant media borrowing. The library also maintains a Local History Digital Archives with digitized Metuchen photographs, newspapers, and historical records available online.
Is the library open on Sundays?
Yes, the library is open Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm (note: the library may close Sundays during summer months — check the library website for seasonal schedule updates). Monday through Thursday hours run 10 am–9 pm, and Friday–Saturday are 10 am–5 pm.
📋 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 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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