Purpose & Commitments

Community First

Libraries are the heart of communities everywhere. The reason the Jersey City Free Public Library exists is to serve the community, and we always put our Community First. Whether you’re a longtime cardholder, new to Jersey City and looking for resources, or use the Library for digital downloads and streaming media, you are part of our community – and we’re here for you.

Welcoming Spaces

Libraries are for everyone. Jersey City is one of the most diverse communities in the nation, and we pride ourselves on making library spaces welcoming to all. JCFPL offers safe and comfortable spaces for reading, work and collaboration, as well as engaging programs for all.

Lifelong Learning

Libraries are an essential part of the community’s lifelong learning journey. In addition to a collection of more than 2 million items and dozens of digital resources for all ages, JCFPL offers literacy programs for young children, families, and adults, as well as High School Equivalency and U.S. Citizenship test prep.

Community Well-Being

Libraries contribute to the well-being of their communities. JCFPL offers access to a wide range of health and wellness information, as well as programs that cover themes from fitness to financial literacy. Plus, our full-time onsite social worker helps patrons navigate and obtain local resources.

Effective Accountable Organization

Libraries are publicly funded institutions. JCFPL is committed to being a conscientious steward of public resources by making sure our operations, and our budget, are directed first and foremost to supporting our mission of serving the community.

See the Impact!

Our efforts in the Purpose and Commitments initiative are already bearing fruit:

• We’ve witnessed an impressive 11.85% increase in library card sign-ups from January to June 2023, compared to the same period in 2022.
• Our book checkout rates have soared with a remarkable 22.60% increase from January to June 2023, as compared to 2022.

See What Else We Are Doing…