Princeton Public Library
🏢 Mercer County · Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton Public Library
Princeton Public Library is the most visited municipal public library in New Jersey — welcoming over 860,000 visitors a year in the 58,000-square-foot Sands Library Building, steps from the heart of one of the country's most storied university towns.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Thursday | 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Friday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, NJ 08542
Phone: (609) 924-9529
Website: princetonlibrary.org
Plus Code: 87G7982Q+MQ (Princeton, NJ)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Princeton Public Library
Princeton Public Library opened in 1909 and occupied Bainbridge House on Nassau Street — a colonial landmark where naval hero William Bainbridge was born in 1774 — at a lease of just $1 per year from Princeton University. As the collection grew to 130,000 volumes in a space designed for 80,000, the library outgrew its 1966 building and launched an $18 million campaign. In April 2004 the library moved to the Sands Library Building at 65 Witherspoon Street, a gleaming 58,000-square-foot brick and glass structure on Hinds Plaza made possible by lead gifts from the Sands family ($5 million), the J. Seward Johnson Charitable Trust, and Princeton University. The library circulates approximately 550,000 items each year and hosts more than 1,300 programs annually — and though it serves a community a tenth the size of Newark, it outperforms Newark Public Library in both per-capita spending and total annual visitors. A free notary service, on-site café, and VHS digitization station round out an offering that goes well beyond books.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Most visited municipal public library in New Jersey — over 860,000 visitors and 550,000 circulations per year
- Museum Pass program: free admission to 12 museums in NJ, Philadelphia, and New York, including the American Museum of Natural History and the Guggenheim
- 58,000 sq. ft. Sands Library Building opened April 2004, named for lead donors George and Estelle Sands
- Free notary services available by appointment
- VHS digitization station converts home VHS and DVD recordings to digital format
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
NJ residents get free access to JerseyClicks — the state's digital library — plus Libby, Hoopla, and research databases through your Princeton card.
📚 Services
- Free library card for Princeton residents and Princeton University affiliates
- Museum Pass program (12 museums in NJ, NY, and Philadelphia)
- Free notary services (by appointment)
- VHS and DVD digitization station (by appointment)
- Interlibrary loan for books, audiobooks, videos, and journal articles
- Library of Things lending collection
- On-site café (Mon–Thu 9 am–6 pm, Fri–Sat 9 am–5 pm, Sun 12–5 pm)
- Computer access and Wi-Fi
🎸 Programs
- Author talks and literary events (over 1,300 programs annually)
- America's 250th anniversary special programming and resources
- Community resources and new-resident orientation
- Children's and family programming
- Book clubs and reading groups
📍 Nearby Libraries in Mercer & Burlington Counties
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Princeton · Browse all New Jersey libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Princeton Public Library museum pass program work?
With a valid Princeton library card you can reserve passes online, by phone (609-924-9529 ext. 1220), or in person at the second-floor Information Desk. Passes are available for 12 institutions, including the American Museum of Natural History, the Guggenheim, and the Museum of the American Revolution. Circulating passes must be picked up by 3 pm the day before your visit and returned by 11 am the following day; printable passes can be accessed instantly. Each cardholder may reserve one pass per day, one museum per month.
Does Princeton Public Library offer notary services?
Yes — the library provides free notary services by appointment. Call (609) 924-9529 to schedule a time with library staff. This service is available to library cardholders and community members.
Can I digitize old home videos at the library?
Yes — the library's VHS Digitization Station allows you to convert VHS tapes and DVDs to digital files. The service is appointment-based; contact the library at (609) 924-9529 to schedule a session and ask about any file-size or format requirements.
Who can get a free Princeton Public Library card?
Princeton residents and Princeton University affiliates are eligible for a free library card. Bring a valid photo ID and proof of address to the library at 65 Witherspoon Street during open hours. Once enrolled, your card unlocks borrowing, digital resources, museum passes, and all library programs.
🎨 This library lends museum passes. See how library museum passes work and find other libraries that lend passes museum passes by state.
📋 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 lends a “Library of Things.” See what you can borrow besides books and find other libraries with a Library of Things Library of Things by state.
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