Sparta Public Library
🏢 MAIN Library Alliance · Sparta, New Jersey
Sparta Public Library
Established in 1961 in a single room of Sparta's original brick Municipal Building, the Sparta Public Library moved a decade later into its own dedicated building on Woodport Road — and today serves Sussex County's lake-district township with a collection of over 60,000 items, open every day of the week. It is the only public library in Sparta Township and a proud member of the MAIN Library Alliance, one of northern New Jersey's largest shared-catalog consortia.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 8:30am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 8:30am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 8:30am–8pm |
| Thursday | 8:30am–8pm |
| Friday | 8:30am–5pm |
| Saturday | 8:30am–3pm |
| Sunday | 1pm–5pm |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 22 Woodport Road, Sparta, NJ 07871
Phone: (973) 729-3101
Website: spartalibrary.com
Plus Code: 87H729M6+VW (Sparta, NJ)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Sparta Public Library
The Sparta Public Library was established on January 23, 1961, when the 'Free Public Library of the Township of Sparta' opened in one room of the original brick Municipal Building. In 1971 the library relocated to its own brick colonial building at 22 Woodport Road, where it has grown steadily to hold more than 60,000 books along with CDs, DVDs, audiobooks and downloadable titles. Sparta Township sits in the highlands of Sussex County, best known for Lake Mohawk and a string of glacial lakes that draw both year-round residents and seasonal visitors. The library belongs to the MAIN Library Alliance, a consortium serving more than 50 libraries across seven northern New Jersey counties, giving every Sparta cardholder access to millions of items in the shared JerseyCat catalog. It offers free notary services to Sparta cardholders — a notable convenience that few NJ public libraries advertise.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded January 23, 1961 — Sparta Township's sole public library, serving Sussex County's lake-district highlands
- Moved from Municipal Building to a dedicated brick colonial building on Woodport Road in 1971
- Collection of 60,000+ books, CDs, DVDs, audiobooks and downloadable titles
- Open seven days a week, including Sundays 1–5 pm
- Free notary service for Sparta library cardholders — rare among NJ public libraries
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
A Sparta library card connects you to free digital resources through the MAIN Library Alliance and New Jersey's statewide collection:
📚 Services
- Free library card (valid across MAIN Library Alliance's 50+ NJ member libraries)
- JerseyCat shared catalog — request items from libraries across seven NJ counties
- Free notary service (no charge for Sparta cardholders; $2.50/signature for non-cardholders)
- 8 public internet computers and Wi-Fi throughout the building
- Fax service
- Interlibrary loan for materials outside the network
- Reference and reader's advisory
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytimes and early literacy programs
- LOTE4Kids: audio picture books in 100+ world languages for young learners
- Teen programs and activities
- Adult book discussions and author events
- Summer reading program for all ages
- Seasonal community programs and exhibits
📍 Nearby Libraries in Northern New Jersey
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Sparta Public Library open, and where was it originally located?
The Free Public Library of the Township of Sparta was established on January 23, 1961, in one room of the original brick Municipal Building. In 1971 it moved to its own dedicated brick colonial building at 22 Woodport Road, where it remains today.
Does the Sparta Public Library offer notary services?
Yes. Notary service is available free of charge to Sparta library cardholders. For visitors without a Sparta card, the fee is $2.50 per notarized signature. This is one of the more uncommon services offered by a township library in New Jersey.
Is the library open on Sundays?
Yes — the library is open Sunday 1 pm to 5 pm, making it one of the more accessible public libraries in Sussex County for residents with weekday commitments. Full hours are Monday–Thursday 8:30 am–8 pm, Friday 8:30 am–5 pm, Saturday 8:30 am–3 pm, and Sunday 1–5 pm.
What is the MAIN Library Alliance, and how does it benefit Sparta cardholders?
MAIN is a cooperative of more than 50 public libraries spanning seven northern New Jersey counties. Sparta Public Library belongs to MAIN, which means your Sparta card is recognized at member libraries and gives you access to JerseyCat — a shared catalog of millions of items you can request and have delivered to Sparta for pickup.
📋 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 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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