New Brunswick Free Public Library
🏢 LMXAC Consortium · New Brunswick, New Jersey
New Brunswick Free Public Library
The New Brunswick Free Public Library traces its roots to a 1796 reading society and has occupied its Beaux Arts Carnegie building at 60 Livingston Avenue since 1903 — more than a century of serving one of New Jersey's most diverse cities, with extended evening hours Monday through Thursday until 9 p.m.
🕑 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: 60 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Phone: (732) 745-5108
Website: nbfpl.org
Plus Code: 87G7FHR3+JM (New Brunswick, NJ)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About New Brunswick Free Public Library
The New Brunswick Free Public Library was incorporated in 1890, building on the Union Library Company founded in 1796. Its current home, a Carnegie building designed by architect George K. Parsell and completed in 1903, stands on Livingston Avenue in the heart of New Brunswick and is listed as a contributing property of the Livingston Avenue Historic District. Today the library serves a richly multicultural community — the city is home to Rutgers University and one of New Jersey's largest Latinx populations — offering collections and programming in multiple languages. ESL classes, genealogy databases, free computer access, and municipal ID assistance (issued on behalf of the City of New Brunswick) reflect the breadth of community needs it addresses. Through the LMXAC consortium, cardholders reach a shared catalog of millions of items, and JerseyClicks gives every New Jersey resident access to state-funded academic databases and research tools.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Carnegie library built in 1903, rooted in a reading society dating back to 1796 — one of New Jersey's oldest library lineages
- Beaux Arts building on Livingston Avenue listed as a contributing property of the Livingston Avenue Historic District
- Issues Municipal IDs on behalf of the City of New Brunswick, serving immigrant and unbanked residents
- Rich ESL and multilingual programming for New Brunswick's diverse, majority-Latinx community
- Open until 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday for students, workers, and evening visitors
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
New Brunswick Free Public Library cardholders enjoy a wide range of free digital resources:
📚 Services
- Free library cards for New Brunswick residents
- Public computers, printing, and free Wi-Fi
- Municipal ID issuance on behalf of the City of New Brunswick
- ESL and English language programs
- Interlibrary loan through the LMXAC consortium
- Reference and research assistance
- Borrowing, holds, and renewals via the Stella NJ catalog
- Meeting rooms for nonprofit organizations and library programs
- Accessibility accommodations
🎸 Programs
- ESL and adult literacy classes
- Children's storytimes and youth programming
- Summer reading program
- Community and cultural events throughout the year
- Genealogy research with Heritage Quest access
📍 Nearby Libraries in Middlesex County
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in New Brunswick · Browse all New Jersey libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How old is the New Brunswick Free Public Library, and when was the Carnegie building built?
The library's roots go back to 1796, when the Union Library Company was founded in New Brunswick. The library was formally incorporated as a free public library in 1890. Its current Carnegie building at 60 Livingston Avenue was completed in 1903 and designed by architect George K. Parsell in the Beaux Arts style — the only building in the Livingston Avenue Historic District with that architectural style.
Does the library offer services for non-English speakers?
Yes. The library offers ESL classes and English language programs, and provides translation resources for patrons. New Brunswick has one of New Jersey's largest Latinx populations, and the library's collections, programs, and staff reflect the city's multilingual character. The library's website also offers a translation feature.
What is the Municipal ID program at the library?
The New Brunswick Free Public Library issues municipal identification cards on behalf of the City of New Brunswick. These IDs are available to residents regardless of immigration status and can be used to access city services. Call or visit the library for details on eligibility and required documents.
What is JerseyClicks, and how do I access it?
JerseyClicks is New Jersey's statewide collection of free online databases, including academic journals, career resources, newspaper archives, and research tools. New Brunswick library cardholders can access JerseyClicks remotely with their library card number — no additional registration is needed.
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