Jersey City Free Public Library

While I believe libraries are a dying institution, I do also believe that they are places where your brain can concentrate a tad bit better. It works with my itty bitty one though… always!
Libraries do also need to evolve, I mean more resources and more 21^st century style of learning with ipads, computers etc.
Having said that, this place gives you an amazing feeling. The building reflects heritage and history. the staircase, the chairs, high ceilings and even the restrooms. The elevator is a classic. so cool.
The best part about this place is though, The People who work there. Just plain amazing.
very courteous, smiling, knowledgeable and helpful. They go that extra mile to help. They take this place to a new different level. I feel that they might be in the wrong business. They should prolly try to get into the hospitality industry or something.
The book collection ain’t that great but not bad either. I believe they have a mobile as well.
DVD rental is paid which is a negative but then who rents DVDs anyways.
Print outs are 10c each and copies I believe are 20c (?). no scanner but you have plenty of apps on your phone for that. so who cares.
The wifi is free (with a free card) and is fast enough. You need to have a jersey city address proof to get a card. They hook you up for the first time if you are not carrying the address proof. Registration is a breeze. they have different reading areas for kids etc.
All in all– a great place – i plan to donate –you should too
and hey!– Do take the elevator ride w/​o fail :)

Five stars for the local library — because why the hell not? One of my favorite places.
I don’t know if you still have to pay to rent dvds and such from here, I’m assuming yes, which is hella annoying, especially if your ass is like mine and has to pay for cable, Amazon Prime, etc. That being said, I do not rent those kinds of materials from here because my ass pays for all that that other crap. Annoying to pay here, sure, but think of it as a donation and stop your crying.
I am strictly a book borrower, and I love it. I find their staff helpful and friendly. My library card expired, and I called in to see if I could put some books on hold. First, I asked if they could get books from other branches — most of the other smaller branches do not not have enough late nights, and one of the closest branches to me has no late nights at all :(The gentleman I spoke to was more than happy to help, and said they could place the books on hold and let me know what times/​days the deliveries/​pick-​ups are made. Second, he even put the books on hold under his name since my card was expired. Thanks, dude.
One of the other reviewers states their collection is out of stock, which I don’t necessarily agree with. Both books I placed on hold were published in 2013 and in stock at multiple branches — one being a young adult fiction novel and the other essentially about the history of cocktails — score! One of my favorite cookbooks was a loaner from here that I eventually ended up buying. Their travel guides seem to be out of date, but almost all those kinds of guides are out of date within a year anyway.
When I first got my library card years back, I asked why they didn’t have a book slot outside the library, like my old childhood library does, and they said people were utilizing it like a trash can and therefore ruined it for the rest of us. Screw you, fools!
Knowledge is power, people. Support your local library.

Finally got a library card, about time since I have been living in Jersey City for almost 3 years now! I usually don’t purchase too many books/​eBooks, so joining a library works out great for me. In order to get the library card, you either need to be a resident or work in Jersey city and provide documents to show the same.
I haven’t visited the actual brick and mortar location yet. JCFPL has a Bookmobile program running since 2008 — the walls of the bus are lined with bookshelves that hold around 2,000 books, two small Public Access computers, DVD player in the back of the bus, along with rest facilities. You can apply for library membership, check out/​return books at the book mobile. Fines are not collected on the Bookmobile but you will receive a bill by mail for any late charges.
Check out the website for the route for the book mobile —
As for the selection of books, their eBook selection is ok. They do have a few latest eBooks; hopefully they will keep on expanding the digital selection. I searched the website for the books I wanted to read and did find quite a few, so maybe a visit to the Pavonia branch is in order. The selection of books in the book mobile was also ok, didn’t find too many novels that I would want to read. But they have a good number of books for children/​young adults. I have seen a lot of parents in my neighborhood browsing through the Bookmobile with their kids.

Let’s all put aside the poor reviews and be thankful we even have a library these days. This is a cute, quaint lil library in the heart of Van Vorst Park. The few staff that are there are always friendly and helpful.
They have books, CDs, DVDs and graphic novels — in addition to internet access.
I’m sure in some ways it could use some sprucing up — but I like the vintage feel of this place. And they always have new books coming in — and that’s what you really want in a library.

Honestly, my opinion still hasn’t changed about the Jersey City Library with all of the comments I mentioned in my last review. However, I wanted to raise my review up to three stars because I think the librarians are very friendly and helpful. I think they do what they can considering obvious budget constraints and sometimes a lack of staff at times. So many people in Jersey City rely on the library’s services, so having good librarians help a lot. I am hopeful on improvements but I am continuing to support the library in whatever way I can.

I heart libraries! The staff was very friendly and helpful when I was signing up for my library card. This library is old school and doesn’t have a huge collection, but it is decent size and there is more than enough room to hang out and read, use the internet, etc. I also love that it’s in an old school building and just has that old library feel to it. Stop in, check out a book and get your read on!

I love Libraries. I love this old-​school beautiful building in the heart of downtown. I love the architechture inside and out. I love that they have a DVD and audio-​book lending section. However, the selection of books and other media is not super extensive. And the overall «sanctuary» factor of this library, i.e., for studying, reading, etc., is not great. I know times are tough, and city budgets are shrinking, but I feel like a little bit of sprucing up would go a long way. I guess I’m lucky the place is still open.

ugh.
It doesn’t have enough resources: workers, books, CDs, computers, you name it.
With all the yups moving in downtown, you’d think there would be more resources available.

I love libraries. I really do. The idea of lending literature, books, movies and just culture and art in general to anyone with a plastic card is just something that makes the world a better place.
This one isn’t fancy pants but, it is in a beautiful building on Van Vorst Park. It is quiet, and smells like a library with old books and a certain musk to the décor. I just get happy when I get an opportunity to visit.
I really need to visit more.

The library is beautiful and they have some current books and DVDs, but is generally lacking in material and resources (they need public help on this front). The recently renovated kids section rocks, and there are computers available for public use. They have some great large print and art books.
Their historic records, however, are a prized possession. I actually saw an episode of Who Do You Think You Are where Rosie O’Donnell came here to get some old family records!
This is a neat place for the history and weird layout that snakes through many rooms. Its quiet until the kids get out of school!