People who live, work, own property, or attend school in the City of New Brunswick may register for a library card without charge. It is encouraged that those who work or attend school in New Brunswick, but do not live in New Brunswick, use their hometown library card if New Brunswick Free Public Library has a borrowing agreement with that library (see below).
Anyone having a valid library card from within the Libraries of Middlesex Automation Consortium (LMxAC), Raritan Valley Federation of Municipal Libraries, Middlesex Union Reciprocal Associated Libraries (MURAL), or an Open Borrowing Participating Library may use that library card at this library. Anyone having a valid library card from another library that accords New Brunswick residents’ privileges equal to that of their own residents may use that library card at this library. Residents of communities that restrict privileges to New Brunswick residents will have their privileges similarly restricted. To find out if your specific library is included in one of these organizations, please call the library at 732-745-5108.
Those individuals who do not meet these requirements may register for a library
card for an annual fee. Lost or stolen library cards should be reported at
once. A nominal fee is charged for a replacement card.
If you live in another New Jersey community, your hometown library card
may be valid here. If you do not have a card from your hometown library, we
may ask you to please obtain one. This helps us to keep accurate records.
To apply for a library card, you must have two valid proofs of identification, at least one showing your current address. Examples of valid ID include, but are not limited to, the following:
·County ID
·Credit card statement
·Bank statement or check
·Lease
·Utility bill
·NJ driver's license
Get a Library Card Online
Through a program initiated by the New Jersey State Library, you can apply for your New Brunswick Free Public Library card online.
When an online application is received, a temporary card number will be assigned to you to use many state funded online databases (QandA NJ, ListenNJ and JerseyClicks) from home, school, or work for 2 weeks, and library staff will process the request, issue a library card, and then mail the card to the you. Click here to apply online.
As soon as you receive your library card, bring two valid proofs of identification, at least one showing your current address, to the library in order to activate your library card and gain full access to our borrowing and computer services. These can be:
·County ID
·Credit card statement
·Bank statement or check
·Lease
·Utility bill
·NJ driver's license
If you are a non-resident applying for a free card, you must show proof that you work or go to school in New Brunswick, such as a work or student ID, or a letter on company or school letterhead. Non-resident cards are usually not honored in other libraries.
Our library card gives you full access to the services of this library. You
may borrow books, magazines, videos, audio books, and other materials. The
librarians in the Reference Room and Children's Room are available to help
you find the material or information you want.
Materials available for loan at the New Brunswick Free Public Library include: Fiction and Non-Fiction Books; Paperbacks; Magazines; Encyclopedias; Pamphlets; Pictures; Literacy Materials; Videos and DVDs; and audio books.
Most materials circulate for 14 days, but there are exceptions. Please check each item for its due date. Items can be renewed in person, by telephone, or online using iBistro, if they are not on reserve or otherwise restricted. Fines will be charged for overdue items.
The library has staff members specially trained in children's, adult, and young adult services to handle questions and requests for materials. The Library subscribes to print and electronic indexes that provide citations to newspaper and magazine articles on a variety of subjects. Articles can be obtained in print, microfilm or online format. As a member of the New Jersey Library Network, New Brunswick Library has the power to go far beyond its own doors to provide the information needed.
Books and other materials that are not immediately available at the New Brunswick Free Public Library may be reserved by filling out a request at the Reference Desk. Patrons may also place books on hold through iBistro using their library card number and PIN (if you do not know your PIN, please contact the Reference Desk at: 732-745-5108 x20). Borrowers will be notified by telephone when the materials are available.
If the Library does not own the requested materials, a member's request will be forwarded to another library or to the statewide information network. Through this network, materials can be sent to New Brunswick from distant parts of the state or country. Only New Brunswick residents or people who work in New Brunswick are entitled to this service. Borrowers will be notified by telephone when the item is available.
The Library has nine computers in the Reference Area with Internet access. These computers also have access to Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, FrontPage, Publisher, Access, and Encarta. In addition there is a computer dedicated to database use with access to EBSCOHost, Infotrac, Facts on File, HeritageQuest, Learning Express, Novelist. Typewriters are provided for public use. See a Reference Librarian for help in using any of these.
The meeting rooms of the New Brunswick Free Public Library may be reserved by non-profit groups for public gatherings when they are not being used for library programs. Meeting rooms are available at no charge during the hours that the library is open. You may obtain application forms and policies for the use of the rooms by visiting the library, by calling 732-745-5108 x28, or by downloading and printing the pdfs available here:
To see the policy for use of the meeting rooms, click here.
To obtain a meeting room application form, click here.
Meeting rooms include the Carl T. Valenti Community Room and the Henry Guest House. The Carl T. Valenti Community Room is named in memory of Carl T. Valenti (1931-2008): A civic leader and lifelong resident of New Brunswick, Mr. Valenti served in all chairs of the Library's Board of Trustees from 1999 to 2008, and was a member of the Friends of the New Brunswick Free Public Library. For information about the Henry Guest House, click here.