Home to an extensive collection and enthusiastic staff, the New Jersey State Library is an essential resource for anyone looking to learn about New Jersey and its history. First founded in 1796 as support for the government of New Jersey in providing documents and research, the library now has a mission to educate the broader public, especially through its Talking Book and Braille Center. Find a new book, learn about the government or take classes at this important and essential state institution.
Browse the collection, which includes manuscripts and other rare documents from the earliest days of New Jersey.
Bring your lunch to the library on certain days when authors come in to discuss topics related to the library’s collection, from law to the environment or from immigrant experiences to New Jersey history.
Learn a new skill at the library’s numerous workshops, also available online, training people in computer use and more. Borrow a book from any New Jersey library with the inter-library loan system.
Track down the history of your family in the library’s extensive genealogy collection, which includes more than 18,000 titles. Pore through microfilm copies of the New York Times and major New Jersey newspapers, looking for your family name. Recruit the friendly and helpful reference staff members to teach you how to use the catalogs and devise a plan.
As you leave, stop at the New Jersey State House Annex for a look at how the library appeared when it first opened its doors over 200 years ago.
The New Jersey State Library is located in downtown Trenton, adjacent to the New Jersey State House on the banks of the Delaware River. Drive to the library in 5 minutes from the Trenton Transit Center, where buses and trains stop or walk from the center in 20 minutes. Limited free parking is available in the lot under the state house, which requires photo ID or in metered parking along the street and in nearby lots.
The library is open on weekdays during business hours.
