Muslim American Heritage Month Celebration

Sunday, January 26 at 2:00pm

Lower Lobby and Friends Room

Celebrate Muslim American Heritage with us at the library with the Cultural Society of Bergen County! We'll be having plenty of activities that include henna, storytelling, crafts, and a showcase of Muslim culture. Light refreshments will also be served.

2024 Annual Report

We've compiled all the year's happenings in one handy document! Learn about the fun and the minutiae of the library throughout 2024 in our annual report.

Book Sale Relocation

Our book sale is moving out from the second floor mezzanine in anticipation of the YA Room renovation.

You can now find our book sale in the Clinton Avenue side corner. If you need assistance finding the book sale, please ask any of the first floor service desks.

Holiday Closures

The library will be closed to observe the following holidays:

Monday, Jan. 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Regular operating hours will resume after the following holiday.

Winter Crochet with Mini

Tuesdays (January 7 - 28) at 12:30pm

Come join our librarian, Mini, for some crochet basics! We will provide some materials or you can bring your own. Beginners are welcome!

Registration required.

Watercolor for Beginners

Sunday, January 12 at 2:00pm

In this workshop, participants will first learn some watercolor techniques and lettering fundamentals. They will then practice painting letters and words using my reference worksheets. At the end of the workshop, participants will use these skills to paint a word using watercolor lettering.

Monthly Monday Book Club

Monday, January 13 at 1:30pm

Conference Room

Want to chat about books on a Monday afternoon? Flip through those pages and head over to our Afternoon Book Club! This month's book is: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig.

Copies of the book will be available at the Reference Desk.

Tech Help Tuesdays

Tuesdays at 1:30pm

Conference Room

Looking for help using our digital resources like Libby or Kanopy? Need help using your smartphone, laptop, tablet, or other device? Drop by our conference room on Tuesdays for in-person one-on-one help! Drop in hours are on a first come, first served basis. Please be sure to charge and bring the device you would like assistance with!

Please note: we are not able to repair devices.

Need more assistance? We'll be offering one-on-one computer classes! Please call 201-387-4040 ext. 2832 to register and for more information. Bergenfield residents have priority for classes. Classes for out of town patrons are available for a fee.

Wednesday Afternoon Movies

Wednesdays at 1:00pm

Fancy a break in the middle of the week? Come to the library to watch a movie with us! For a full list of this month's showings, pick up a flyer at the library.

Virtual Author Book Talks

Enjoy a range of talks from bestselling authors and thought leaders from the comfort of your own home with these Virtual Author Book Talks. Register to these talks and get a chance to ask questions live; you can also view archived sessions from previous speakers

Brought to you in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium. This service is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Bergenfield Library.

Passport Services

Schedule an appointment at the Bergenfield Public Library to process your U.S. DS-11 applications!

We can even provide passport photos for just $15.00 per set of two photos. (Photo-only appointments can also be made.)

Schedule your appointment by clicking the button below.

If you are fifteen minutes late to your appointment, it will be automatically cancelled. If you fail to bring the required paperwork, identification or payment to your appointment, library staff reserve the right to cancel the appointment and you will need to reschedule for a new date/time.

Notary Services

The Library is happy to provide Notary Service to our patrons for $2.50 per page.

Notary Service is available by appointment on weekdays up to 4:30 p.m. Notary Services are not available in the fifteen (15) minutes prior to the time of closing.

All Notary Services must be scheduled via appointment. We will not take walk-ins. We cannot guarantee same day appointments. Please schedule your appointment by clicking the button above.

Do NOT sign your document before your appointment. You must sign in the presence of the Notary Public.

Talk to a Social Work Intern

To further the library's goal of connecting our community with the resources you need, we offer the services of our Social Work intern (Master of Social Work student) who can assist you.

There are no residency requirements to meet with the social work intern. All are welcome to drop in!

Please note that the social work intern is not able to provide any clinical services (i.e. therapy). We are able to refer you to a social service agency that can provide clinical support.

This service is in partnership with the Fairleigh Dickinson and Rutgers University School of Social Work.

Registration is now solely on our online calendar. Please review the REGISTRATION RULES on our website. These programs are also for Bergenfield residents only.

By signing up for these programs, you state that you have read and understood the registration rules outlined and agree to follow them. Click here to go to our online calendar and register for programs.

Baby Lapsit (Ages 0 - 36 Months)

Wednesdays (January 8 - February 26) at 10:30am

Children's Activity Room

Introduce your little one to early literacy skills such as singing, language, talking and playing in this introductory and interactive story time. Only one adult per registered child.

"I Survived" Book Club (Grades 4 - 5)

Wednesdays (January 15, February 12, March 12) at 3:45pm

Children's Activity Room

Do you love adventure? History? Then you’ll love these action packed stories in this series that explore survival accounts of real major events in American history. Books are read in this order:

• Jan: I Survived the Destruction of Pompeii, 79 AD
• Feb: I Survived The American Revolution, 1776
• March: I Survived The Great Chicago Fire, 1871.

Books must be read before each meeting date. Reserve your books from the BCCLS catalog.

Music & Movement: Sensory Sing (Open to neurodiverse abilities)

Thursdays (January 9, February 6, March 6) at 3:30pm

Children's Activity Room

An interactive music and movement program specifically for neurodiverse patrons that uses music to engage sensory learning. Only one adult per registered child.

Music & Movement: Jiggly Wiggly (Ages 1 - 4)

Tuesdays (January 14 - 28) at 10:30am

Children's Activity Room

You will sing, dance, use different music makers and have fun in this high energy class with Ms Christine! Only one adult per registered child.

Dr Martin Luther King Jr Story & Craft (Grades K - 3)

Friday, January 17 at 3:30pm

Children's Activity Room

Listen to a story about Dr King and his important message of peace then make your own collage.

Book Character Inauguration Party (Age 3 - Grade 5)

Tuesday, January 21 at 3:30pm

Friends Room

Let’s celebrate Dog Man, the winner of the 2024 book character elections.

Make a Mini Snowglobe (Grades 3 - 5)

Thursday, January 23 at 3:30pm

Children's Activity Room

Keep a little bit of winter with you and make a mini snow globe.

National Lego Day

Tuesday, January 28 at 3:30pm

Friends Room

Celebrate National Lego Day by building lego creations at the library! Use our Legos to attempt some challenges or free build your own structures. We will show off your creations at the library’s exhibit space for the month of February.

Lunar New Year Story & Craft (Grades K - 3)

Wednesday, January 29 at 3:30pm

Friends Room

Listen to a story and learn about some of the traditions of the special holiday. Listen to music, try some of the traditional snacks and make a craft.

Sneaky Snowfriends Scavenger Hunt (All Ages)

Throughout January

Children's Room

Locate all the snow friends throughout the Children's Room!

Drop-in Open Playtime (Ages 0 - 5)

Mondays (Jan. 6 & Feb. 3) and Wednesday (Mar. 5) at 10:30am

Children's Activity Room

Come play with our select toys and meet new friends.

Bilingual Storytime (Ages 3 - 5)

Mondays (January 13 - February 24*) at 6:00pm

Children's Activity Room

Join Miss Celia, a native Spanish speaker, for a storytime featuring books and songs in English and Spanish. The age requirement is strictly enforced.

*No programs on January 20 and February 17

Giveaway and take-home packs are available while limited supplies last and are for Bergenfield residents only. Only one per child.

Make Your Own Winter Bookmark (Grades K - 5)

Starting January 7

Children's Room

Head to the Children's Room to pick up supplies to make your own penguin bookmark! supplies are limited.

Registration is now solely on our online calendar. Please review the REGISTRATION RULES on our website. These programs are also for Bergenfield residents only.

By signing up for these programs, you state that you have read and understood the registration rules outlined and agree to follow them. Click here to go to our online calendar and register for programs.

Affordable College: "Go to College, Not into Debt" (Grades 9 - 12)

Tuesday, January 14 at 6:30pm

Virtual Program

Part One of the Collegewise workshop series for parents and guardians of college-bound students. Registrants will receive the Zoom link on the day of the workshop.

Intro to Coding (Grades 5 - 12)

Thursday, January 16 at 3:30pm

Friends Room

Discover the fundamental concepts of coding in an engaging and enjoyable way. You’ll build exciting programs like a drum machine and a fortune telling cheeseburger! No prior coding experience required.

Junior Library Council (Grades 6 - 12)

Monday, January 27 at 6:00pm

Google Meet*

A service-based volunteer program to earn community service hours while helping the library or greater Bergenfield community. The enrollment period has concluded.

* Some meetings will be held in person & others will be held virtually. You must be an enrolled member to receive the meeting link. 

Make Your Own Tabletop Zen Garden (Grades 6 - 12)

Wednesday, January 24 at 3:15pm

Conference Room

Bring a little peace and calm into the New Year with a tabletop Zen Garden. You’ll learn about different designs and make your own to keep.

Hot Cocoa & Color (Grades 6 - 12)

Friday, January 31 at 3:15pm

Friends Room

Celebrate National Hot Chocolate day by coloring your own ceramic mug while sipping some hot coco.

Thank You, 2024 Sponsors!

The Friends of the Library would like to thank the 2024 Business Sponsors for their generous support. Please support these local businesses!

The Friends are on Facebook!

The Friends of the Library now have their own Facebook page! Leave a like and stay up to date on all the latest news from the Friends.

Ongoing Book Sale

You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy fantastic books and media at the Friends of the Library’s Ongoing Book Sale — and that’s kind of the same thing.

Find the finest collection of gently-used items for sale in the library. Purchases are cash or check only. Make sure you bring a tote bag!

Donations

Donations are back! The library is now accepting small donations (approximately 10 items) of new or like-new materials (no older than 10 years) per person per week.

We request that you bring in donations during normal hours of operation and not leave boxes outside or place items in the book drop.

If you want to donate: ask for Dan at the Circulation Desk or email dchoquette@bergenfieldlibrary.org

50 W Clinton Avenue

Bergenfield, NJ 07621

201 - 387 - 4040

Library Hours



• Monday: 10:00am - 9:00pm
• Tuesday: 10:00am - 9:00pm
• Wednesday: 10:00am - 9:00pm
• Thursday: 10:00am - 9:00pm
• Friday: 10:00am - 5:00pm
• Saturday: 10:00am - 2:00pm*
• Sunday: 1:00pm - 5:00pm*

* CLOSED during July and August

Library Board of Trustees



• Thomas Neats, President 
• Laurie Phipps, Vice President
• Fanny Cruz-Betesh
• Sarah Shaffren, Recording Secretary
• Mayor Arvin Amatorio
• Jamie Orlando
• Natalie Rivas
• Marcela Deauna, Treasurer
• Thomas Lodato, Council Liaison
• Dr. Chris Tully, Superintendent of Schools
• Chris Langschultz, Alt. for Superintendent

Bergenfield Public Library is a Stigma-Free Zone and Safe Space