Rutherford Free Public Library
🏢 Bergen County Cooperative Library System · Rutherford, New Jersey
Rutherford Free Public Library
Founded in 1893 out of the Woman's Reading Club organized by local historian Margaret Riggs, the Rutherford Free Public Library has served Bergen County's borough of Rutherford for over 130 years — and is proud to call itself the hometown library of Pulitzer Prize–winning poet William Carlos Williams.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–8pm |
| Thursday | 10am–6pm |
| Friday | 10am–5pm |
| Saturday | 10am–4pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 150 Park Avenue, Rutherford, NJ 07070
Phone: (201) 939-8600
Website: rutherfordlibrary.org
Plus Code: 87G7RVGV+HC (Rutherford, NJ)
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📖 About Rutherford Free Public Library
The Rutherford Free Library Association grew out of a Woman's Reading Club organized by Margaret Riggs in 1889; the association opened its first reading room in the Shafer Building at Ames and Park Avenues in 1894. After relocating to the donated Ivison Hall, Rutherford voters brought the library under municipal control in 1908. Architect Edgar I. Williams designed the purpose-built structure at 150 Park Avenue, completed in the 1950s, and the Grace Dickinson Wing more than doubled the building in 1981 by adding an auditorium and expanded stacks. A 2016 renovation modernised the interior and installed a new Teen Lounge. Today the library holds 66,804 volumes, circulates over 209,000 items a year and is a member of the Bergen County Cooperative Library System (BCCLS). William Carlos Williams — Pulitzer Prize poet and Rutherford physician — was a devoted patron; the library partnered in designating his nearby home a Literary Landmark in September 2005.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded 1893 from the Woman's Reading Club organized by Margaret Riggs — over 130 years of continuous public service
- Hometown library of William Carlos Williams, Pulitzer Prize–winning poet and Rutherford physician; Literary Landmark designation 2005
- Grace Dickinson Wing (1981) added an auditorium and doubled collection space; fully modernised again in 2016 with a new Teen Lounge
- Member of BCCLS — Bergen County Cooperative Library System — giving cardholders access to materials across 77 member libraries
- Museum passes funded by the Friends of the Library give patrons free or reduced admission to area cultural institutions
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Your Rutherford card unlocks digital collections through BCCLS and the New Jersey State Library:
📚 Services
- Museum passes — free or reduced admission to area museums and cultural venues
- Public computers, printing, Wi-Fi and technology assistance
- Teen Lounge with dedicated programming space
- Interlibrary loan through BCCLS — access to 77 Bergen County libraries
- Reference and reader's advisory for all ages
- Community auditorium in the Grace Dickinson Wing
- Friends of the Library book sales and fundraising events
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytimes and youth programming
- Teen programs and Teen Lounge activities
- Adult author talks and community events
- Friends Book Club and film screenings
- Foundation Gala and annual fundraising events
- Summer reading program
📍 Nearby Libraries in Bergen County
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Rutherford · Browse all New Jersey libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the connection between Rutherford Free Public Library and William Carlos Williams?
William Carlos Williams (1883–1963), the Pulitzer Prize–winning poet and physician, was born and lived most of his life in Rutherford, NJ. The library was a natural part of his community, and in September 2005 the library partnered with the American Library Association to designate his nearby home a Literary Landmark. The Williams Center performing-arts venue in Rutherford also bears his name.
What is BCCLS and what does membership mean for my library card?
BCCLS (Bergen County Cooperative Library System) is a network of 77 public libraries sharing a single catalog. A Rutherford card lets you borrow from any member library, place holds online, and access digital resources including Libby/OverDrive for eBooks and audiobooks. The shared catalog uses the Vega Discover interface at catalog.bccls.org.
Does the Rutherford library offer museum passes?
Yes. The Friends of the Library fund museum passes that give patrons free or reduced admission to area cultural institutions. Check the library's website at rutherfordlibrary.org or ask at the desk for the current selection and availability.
When is the library open, and is there parking nearby?
Monday–Wednesday 10am–8pm; Thursday 10am–6pm; Friday 10am–5pm; Saturday 10am–4pm; Sunday closed. The library is at 150 Park Avenue in Rutherford Borough — street parking and municipal lots are available nearby.
🎨 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 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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