Rahway Public Library
🏢 Stellar NJ Cooperative · Rahway, New Jersey
Rahway Public Library
Rahway Public Library occupies a distinctive civic address — 2 City Hall Plaza — in the heart of this Union County city on the Rahway River. Its second-floor Rahway History Room holds nearly 160 years of local newspaper archives, ledgers, maps and images that document the city's industrial heritage and community life.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9:30am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 9:30am–5pm |
| Wednesday | 9:30am–8pm |
| Thursday | 9:30am–8pm |
| Friday | 9:30am–5pm |
| Saturday | 9:30am–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 2 City Hall Plaza, Rahway, NJ 07065
Phone: (732) 340-1551
Website: rahwaylibrary.org
Plus Code: 87G7JP3G+FR (Rahway, 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 Rahway Public Library
Rahway Public Library is the public library of Rahway, a Union County city of about 30,000 on the banks of the Rahway River, positioned at the intersection of the Northeast Corridor rail line and the former industrial corridor that once made the city a manufacturing centre. The library sits at 2 City Hall Plaza, sharing the civic block with municipal offices, a location that underscores its role as a community institution. On the second floor, the Rahway History Room preserves nearly 160 years of local newspaper archives alongside a special collection of ledgers, images, maps and archival files that trace Rahway's past. Digital genealogy research is supported through access to Ancestry.com and HeritageQuest. The library's digital services include Kanopy and hoopla Digital for streaming, Libby for eBooks and audiobooks, and the JerseyClicks statewide database portal maintained by the NJ State Library. Programs range from tai chi, line dancing and a crochet club for adults to dance parties, storytimes and craft kits for children. The library is a member of the Stellar NJ cooperative, and its catalog is accessible at rwy.search.stellanj.org.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Rahway History Room on the second floor: nearly 160 years of local newspaper archives, ledgers, maps and images
- Genealogy research via Ancestry.com and HeritageQuest — available free in the library
- Civic address at 2 City Hall Plaza — anchoring the heart of downtown Rahway
- Open three evenings per week until 8 p.m. — Monday, Wednesday & Thursday
- Kanopy and hoopla Digital streaming free for all cardholders
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Rahway cardholders can stream, research and borrow free with these digital resources:
📚 Services
- Rahway History Room — local newspaper archive spanning nearly 160 years
- Genealogy research via Ancestry.com & HeritageQuest
- Public computers, printing & free Wi-Fi
- Auditorium available for community events and rental
- Curbside pickup service
- Career development tools (Optimal Resume for resumes and video interviews)
- Interlibrary loan through Stellar NJ cooperative
🎸 Programs
- Tai chi, line dancing and sewing workshops for adults
- Crochet club and needlework programs
- Children's dance parties, storytimes and BINGO
- Craft kits for children
- Senior health awareness events and workshops
- Summer reading program for all ages
- Community events in the library auditorium
📍 Nearby Libraries in Union County
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Rahway History Room and what does it contain?
The Rahway History Room is a special local-history collection on the second floor of the library. It holds nearly 160 years of Rahway newspaper archives along with ledgers, photographs, maps and archival files documenting the city's past. It is a key resource for anyone researching Rahway's history, local families or the city's industrial and civic heritage.
Can I do genealogy research at Rahway Public Library?
Yes. The library provides free in-library access to Ancestry.com and HeritageQuest, two of the leading genealogy databases. Combined with the Rahway History Room's local newspaper archive, the library is an excellent starting point for family history research in the Rahway and Union County area.
What are Rahway Public Library's evening hours?
The library is open until 8 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Tuesday, Friday and Saturday hours are 9:30am–5pm. The library is closed on Sunday.
Does Rahway Public Library offer streaming services and how do I access them?
Yes. Cardholders have free access to Kanopy (films, documentaries and Great Courses), hoopla Digital (movies, music, comics and audiobooks) and Libby (eBooks and audiobooks). Log in with your library card at each platform's website or app. The JerseyClicks portal also provides access to additional databases free for all NJ residents.
📜 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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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.