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Paterson Public Library

Paterson Public Library

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Library History

Established in 1885, the Paterson Free Public Library is New Jersey’s oldest public library created via a vote by the citizens of Paterson. The first library was located at 54 Church Street. The second, at Church and Market, was the former home of the Charles Danforth family and given to the city by Mary Danforth Ryle in memory of her father. Mrs. Ryle subsequently financed a substantial expansion of the library right before it was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1902. The present site of 250 Broadway was chosen after the Great Fire. Funds for the present building were donated by Mary Elizabeth Danforth Ryle, once again in memory of and as a memorial to her father, Charles Danforth, one of Paterson’s leading industrialists. Designed by Henry Bacon (who later designed the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.) the present library, the Danforth Memorial, was opened in 1905.

Seven branch libraries were gradually added to the library system during the first part of the 20th Century – there was one branch in each ward.

In 1995 the Library system was consolidated in order to prepare for automation. The number of branches was reduced from seven to three. The remaining branches were: First Ward, Totowa, and Southside. Hurricane Irene destroyed the First Ward branch in 2011. There is now branch service at the Christopher Hope Center on Temple Street.

Many changes have taken place over the years in the Danforth (Main) Library. The Community Learning Center was started in 1986. The Library has strengthened its African-American and Spanish language collections. An Arabic/Islamic collection has been established at the Southside branch through a New Jersey State Library special collections grant. A Filipino collection, a gift of the Philippine ambassador to the United States, has been established at 250 Broadway.

In March of 2002 the library installed 35 computers received from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Since then over 100 computers have become available for staff and patrons. These computers offer internet access and word processing/publishing software for our patrons. Cablevision has generously supplied us with internet service that is made available as a free wi-fi network for patrons.

Plans for the future include the continued expansion of the Community Learning Center with emphasis on family literacy.

Our Locations

Danforth (Main) Library
250 Broadway Paterson, NJ 07501
(get directions)

973-321-1223

Hours

Monday 9:00am-8:00pm
Tuesday 9:00am-8:00pm
Wednesday 9:00am-8:00pm
Thursday 9:00am-8:00pm
Friday 9:00am-5:00pm
Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm
Sunday CLOSED
Southside Branch Library
930 Main Street Paterson, NJ 07503
(get directions)

973-357-3020

Hours

Monday 12:00pm-8:00pm
Tuesday 9:00am-5:00pm
Wednesday 9:00am-5:00pm
Thursday 9:00am-5:00pm
Friday CLOSED
Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm
Sunday CLOSED
Totowa Branch Library
405 Union Avenue Paterson, NJ 07502
(get directions)

973-942-7198

Hours

Monday 9:00am-5:00pm
Tuesday 12:00pm-8:00pm
Wednesday 9:00am-5:00pm
Thursday 9:00am-5:00pm
Friday CLOSED
Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm
Sunday CLOSED
Northside Branch Library
60 Temple Street Paterson, NJ 07522
(get directions)

973-321-1309

Hours

Monday 9:00am-5:00pm
Tuesday 9:00am-5:00pm
Wednesday 12:00pm-8:00pm
Thursday 9:00am-5:00pm
Friday CLOSED
Saturday CLOSED
Sunday CLOSED
Learning Lab @Paterson Public Library
77 Ellison Street, 2nd floor Paterson, NJ 07501 (get directions)
973-782-6977

Hours

Monday 1:00pm-4:45pm
Tuesday 1:00pm-4:45pm
Wednesday 1:00pm-4:45pm
Thursday 1:00pm-4:45pm
Friday CLOSED
Saturday CLOSED
Sunday CLOSED

Paterson Public Library

Director | Corey Fleming

Main Library Information

973-321-1223
250 Broadway Paterson, NJ 07501

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  • home
  • About
    • Our Vision
    • Library History
    • Art Collection
    • Policies
    • Trustees
    • Back
  • Locations
  • Catalog
    • Catalog Search
    • JerseyCat
    • Renew Materials
    • Calendar
    • Back
  • Employment Opportunities
  • COVID-19
    • Vaccine Information
    • Paterson Experience
    • Back
  • Services
    • Career Services
    • Community Learning Center
    • Fresh Start Resources
    • T-Mobile Hotspot
    • How-To Guides
      • How-To : DigitalLearn.org
      • Grab & Go Directions
      • How-To : Reference Solutions
      • How To : Zoom Sign Up
      • Back
    • DMV-NJ
    • Jobs
    • Online Printing
    • NJ Job Portal
    • Back
  • Research
    • Research Databases
    • Brainfuse
    • JerseyClicks
    • Back
  • Museum Passes
    • Museum Pass Information
    • Back
  • Historical Resources
    • Genealogy
      • Genealogical Websites
      • Birth, Marriage, Death Certificates
      • Cemeteries
      • Social Security Death Index
      • Passenger Lists
      • Organizations
      • Newspapers
      • Naturalization and Property Records
      • General Databases
      • Back
    • Maps
      • Browse All Maps
      • Maps of New Jersey
      • Sanborn Maps
      • Back
    • Collections
      • New Jersey Collection
      • National Collection
      • Back
    • Back