announcements

Strategic Plan Community Survey

The Bergenfield Public Library is planning for the future and we need your feedback! We are in the process of developing a strategic plan to help guide the direction of the library over the next few years.

This survey will provide valuable input to the strategic plan, and takes about 12 minutes to complete. Please help us improve your library by sharing your ideas and opinions. We appreciate your time and feedback very much.

The survey can be completed online using a computer or mobile device with an Internet

browser.

Take our survey

Your responses can remain anonymous. Bergenfield residents who fill out our survey and choose to submit their contact information can be entered into a drawing to receive a free Kindle Fire tablet.

Valentine's Karaoke Party

Friday, February 13 at 5:00pm

Friends Room

Bring the whole family for an evening of music, fun, and Valentine’s cheer! Sing your favorite songs, enjoy Valentine-themed games, take photos at our festive photo booth, and snack on sweet treats.

For families and all ages. Registration required on our online calendar for attendance.

Click here to register

A sign-up sheet for your song choices will also be available when you register.

PJ & DJ Family Dance Party

Saturday, February 14 at 2:30pm

Friends Room

Wear your best PJs and let’s celebrate Valentine’s Day with dancing and fun activities. Light snacks will be served.

For families. Registration is required on our online calendar.

Click here to register

Only one adult per registered child. Adults must register each child attending the program separately.

Holiday Closures

The library will be closed to observe the following holidays:

Monday, February 16: Presidents Day

Regular operating hours will resume after the holiday.

for adults

Zawadi African Dance and Drumming

Sunday, February 8 at 3:00pm

Friends Room

Learn about the rich traditions of African dance, drumming, and storytelling with Zawadi African Dance & Drum, Inc! Watch a performance and even take part in a mini-lesson.

Registration required on our online calendar.

Click here to register

Mahjong Meetup

Every other Tuesday (January 6 - March 31) at 6:00pm

Young Adult Room

Come experience the American version of this ancient Chinese game in a fun, relaxed, and social setting. This is a player-driven gathering. There will be NO formal instruction, just enthusiasts coming together to play, learn from one another, and enjoy the challenge of the game.

Mahjong sets will be provided; please bring your own cards.

Project Healthy Bones

Wednesdays (January 7 - June 17) at 11:00am

Friends Room Room

Project Healthy Bones is a 24-week exercise and education program for older women and men at risk for, or who have, osteoporosis. The program includes exercises that target the body’s larger muscle groups to improve strength, balance, and flexibility. The 24-week curriculum also features sessions on the importance of exercise, nutrition, safety, and drug therapy. Please wear comfortable clothing and bring water.

You must sign the participant waiver and medical approval forms provided upon registration before the start of the program. You may also find a brochure for more information upon registration.

Click here to register

Adult Dungeons and Dragons

Wednesday, February 11 at 6:30pm

Friends Room

Join us for weekly Dungeons & Dragons games led by our Dungeon Master, Dan C. Whether you're experienced or new to the game, come enjoy this fun and creative adventure.

Open to adults. Registration required. Spectators welcome.

Click here to register

Chinese Tea Workshop

Sunday, February 22 at 1:00pm

Friends Room

For more than a millennium, tea in China has been at the center of a profound life philosophy. Tea Master Fengxiao invokes the spirit and tradition of Cha Dao, the Way of Tea. The ceremony lasts about an hour and a half while Fengxiao explains many aspects of tea preparation and enjoyment, while, at the same time, allowing participants to relax in quiet awareness.

For Bergenfield residents only. Registration required on our online calendar.

Click here to register

Click here to register

Afternoon Book Club

Monday, February 9 at 1:30pm

Friends Room

Want to chat about books on a Monday afternoon? Flip through those pages and head over to our monthly Afternoon Book Club! This month's book: Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry.

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

Wednesday Afternoon Movies

Wednesdays at 1:00pm

Friends Room

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

Click here to view upcoming speakers and register

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

Questions or concerns can be directed to mpavithran@bergenfieldlibrary.org

for kids

Registration is now solely on our online calendar. Program registration opens four weeks before the program start date. Please review the REGISTRATION RULES on our website.

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.

Music & Movement: Kidz Musik (Ages 1 - 4)

Mondays (February 2, 9, 23) at 10:00am

Children's Activity Room

An interactive music and movement program that uses songs to engage sensory learning.

Peek-a-Book Storytime (Ages 0 - 4)

Wednesdays (February 4 - 25) at 10:30am

Children's Activity Room

Introduce your little one to early literacy skills such as singing, language, talking in this introductory and interactive story time. May include a quick craft or open play time.

Black History Month Bingo (Grades 3 - 5)

Friday, February 6 at 3:45pm

Children's Activity Room

Join us in celebrating Black History Month by playing a fun game of bingo that will honor famous black leaders, artists, and figures. Small prizes will be awarded!

Bilingual Storytime (Ages 3 - 5)

Tuesday, February 10 at 6:00pm

Children's Activity Room

Join Ms. Celia for a fun and educational experience at our Bilingual Storytime. Enjoy stories in Spanish and English featuring picture books, songs, and interactive activities.

Acompáñen a Ms. Celia para una experiencia divertida y educativa en nuestra Hora del Cuentos Bilingües. Disfruten de cuentos en español e inglés con libros ilustrados, canciones y actividades interactivas.

Heart Squish Bag (Grades K - 3)

Wednesday, February 11 at 3:45pm

Children's Activity Room

Make a heart squish bag with conversation hearts.

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

Friday, February 20 at 3:45pm

Children's Activity Room

Celebrate the Year of the Horse in this storytime! We will do a fun horse-themed craft after we ring in the Lunar New Year with our story.

How Many Hearts are in the Jar? (K - 5)

Throughout February

Children's Room

Guess how many candy conversation hearts are in the jar. The closest guess wins a prize. Bergenfield residents only. Only one guess per person. The winner will be announced on Friday, February 27.

Find the Character Shadow (K - 5)

Throughout February

Children's Room

Shadows of book characters are hidden in the library. Help us find them and win a small prize.

Questions or concerns can be directed to the Children's Desk at 201 - 387 - 4040 x3

for teens

Registration is now solely on our online calendar. Please review the REGISTRATION RULES on our website.

Junior Library Council (Grades 8 - 12)

Monday, February 23 at 6:00pm

YA Room

The Junior Library Council is a service based teen volunteer group. Council Members are required to attend monthly mandatory meetings and to complete various activities in order to earn volunteer hours and a certificate. Activities span across different areas so that members have opportunities to engage with the library and broader community.

Open enrollment has ended. No drop-ins are allowed to attend the in-person meeting.

Teen Zine Making (Grades 6 - 12)

Fridays (February 13 & 27) at 3:30pm

YA Activity Room

A zine (/ziːn/ ZEEN; short for magazine or fanzine) is a magazine that is a "noncommercial often homemade or online publication usually devoted to specialized and often unconventional subject matter".

Learn about the history of this long-held practice and try out making one for yourself! High-brow, low-brow, artistic, comedic, or informative; a zine can be anything you want it to be. Not just for the artistically inclined, this workshop will introduce you to the world of zines and help you navigate their creation. Open to Bergenfield residents only.

Paying for College: What's Changing and What You Can Do (College-bound Students & Families)

Tuesday, February 24 at 6:30pm

Zoom Meeting

This workshop will explore recent changes in financial aid that may impact how much parents will pay for college and how they can adjust to these shifts. Actionable strategies to reduce costs and make informed decisions based on each college’s financial aid formulas will be shared. Parents will leave with tools to predict their financial aid outcomes, avoid excess debt, and better navigate the evolving world of higher education financing.

Registration is required on our online calendar AND through the Zoom link provided.

Guess How Many Hearts are in the Jar (6 - 12)

Throughout February

Children's Room

Guess how many candy conversation hearts are in the jar. The closest guess wins a prize. Bergenfield residents only. Only one guess per person. The winner will be announced on Friday, February 27.

Black TV Shows Trivia (Grades 6 - 12)

Tuesday, February 3 at 3:15pm
YA Activity Room

Let’s celebrate Black History Month with a group game. How well do you know TV shows with an all African American cast of characters? A small prize is awarded to the winner with the most correct answers.

Exploring Artists (Grades 6 - 12)

Tuesday, February 3 at 3:15pm
Friends Room

Do you like art and want to learn more about different types of art and artist’s works? Each month we will explore a different artist and try to replicate some of their work.

Black History Month Word Scramble (Grades 6 - 12)

Tuesday, February 10 at 3:15pm
YA Activity Room

See how well and how fast you can unscramble words that relate to Black History and you could win a small prize.

Card Making Workshop (Grades 6 - 12)

Thursday, February 12 at 3:15pm
YA Activity Room

Create some fun cards using our materials for a valentine, friend, or family member!

Black History Month: Music Matchup (Grades 6 - 12)

Tuesday, February 24 at 3:15pm
YA Activity Room

Join in some friendly competition to see how well you can match popular music to their artist. You could win a small prize!

Questions or concerns can be directed to the Children's Desk at 201 - 387 - 4040 x3

general services

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.

Find more information and schedule an appointment

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 7:30 p.m. depending on staffing. 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.

Find more information and schedule an appointment

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!

Visit our website to learn more and view available hours

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 Rutgers University School of Social Work.

news from the friends

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.

Friends' Facebook Page

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!

Click here for prices

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.

Click here for a list of acceptable donations

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 Service Desk or email dchoquette@bergenfieldlibrary.org