Jersey City Free Public Library — Attraction in Jersey City

Moms with strollers beware! This library does NOT accommodate caregivers with small children.

I’ve visited this library many times before, but this was my first time coming as a mother of two under two. I was nervous about the visit because I remembered the stairs, but I was relieved to see an accessible entrance and rang the intercom for assistance.

To my shock, the security guard instructed me to go through the front entrance despite having a double stroller and clearly needing the accessible option. If I hadn’t come all the way from Bayonne for story time, I honestly would’ve turned around and left.

Eventually, the security guard opened the front door—but I was expected to lift and carry my own heavy stroller up the stairs. As a postpartum 5'1" woman with two babies, this was not just difficult—it was dangerous and exhausting. The guard gave minimal help, pushing from below while I struggled from above. I was floored. Why even have an accessible entrance if it’s not actually usable?

I felt ignored, unsupported, and discriminated against. This experience was physically taxing and emotionally upsetting. It's clear that this library has no real plan to support mothers or caregivers who don’t fit a narrow standard of mobility and independence.

Unbelievable and...

My paradise. I am so happy that it's back open after renovations - I've been waiting for such a long time to come here and get my library card. One thing I will say about that to try and save people some hassle - along with an ID with a Jersey City address, they also require a piece of mail for proof of address (bank statement, credit card statement, electric bill, etc.). Remember to bring that if you're signing up for a card.

The lending department seems small when you first walk in, little do you know that it opens up to more, much larger rooms. They have a great selection and I was able to find quite a few other books that I couldn't at other libraries. They also have a large audiobook and movie selection. While I haven't been yet, the New Jersey Room sounds cool too - a room full of historic books and documents about NJ and Jersey City.

On top of it all, your library card gives you access to online e-book / audiobook / movie libraries and apps. That includes Overdrive and Hoopla.

For those who don't go to libraries or feel like they're old / dusty / boring / whatever, you are seriously missing out. Libraries are some of the best places on earth, and this is a great one. Do yourself a favor, get a library card, and check it out. You...

Overall a classic old library. However, they have a very annoying loud door on the 2nd floor anytime someone enters or leaves through it. The “slow release” mechanism on top has been broken for as long as I remember(I started going there for the 1st time last fall). It bangs so loud as you are trying to concentrate and be quiet in the reading room on that 2nd floor. Some people like myself realize it and hold it when going thru so as to not disturb others. Sadly though, the majority just don’t care and let it BANG shut. I have high anxiety and until that is fixed I will not be going back there. I have reported it to one of the female workers on the 2nd floor who work in that room and her response was “I think they are going to remodel the entire building soon”? So, that means you can’t have someone repair the broken spring(which is an easy fix) before then? It is so loud and annoying! Aren’t libraries supposed to be our quiet refuge to read and write like they were in the...