About

The Jersey City Free Public Library (JCFPL) is the largest municipal library in the State of New Jersey, serving one of the most diverse cities in the country. The Library meets the needs of the community by providing a wide array of programming and resources, and access to a broad range of print, digital, and audiovisual collections. The Library has been a cornerstone of Jersey City’s growing and changing community for more than 120 years. 

In 1889, Mayor Orestes Cleveland appointed a board of trustees to found the Jersey City Free Public Library. In 1901, the library opened with 15,515 books, ready to serve Jersey City’s residents. At present, the JCFPL consists of ten locations and a Bookmobile, offering physical and digital collections exceeding one million items. 

The library staff of 140+ provides the nearly 300,000 residents with information, programs, services, events, and resources for entertainment and lifelong learning. The JCFPL continues to evolve in order to best serve Jersey City’s racially, economically, and socially (incredibly) diverse population.  

Mission Statement

(Adopted December 8, 2020)

We promote lifelong learning and cultivate equity in our community through innovative programs, engaging collections, welcoming spaces, and committed staff.

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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Statement

(Adopted August 28, 2024)

The Jersey City Free Public Library (JCFPL) is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. As such, we strive to ensure that all our efforts, including our collections, reflect the diversity of the community that we serve. JCFPL seeks and encourages the involvement of people from traditionally underrepresented audiences in its staffing, as well as in all its programs, services, and events. Opportunities are open to people regardless of their race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, geographic location, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that our journey towards diversity, equity, and inclusion is ever-evolving, so we invite our community to join us in creating a library that is a welcoming space for every single resident of Jersey City.