Winter is finally here! ☃️

announcements

Model Trains Exhibit

The trains are running again this year at the Library! Trains from the Bright Family's extensive collection of Lionel Electric Trains will be on display and running for your enjoyment. Come see selected model trains from prewar, postwar, and modern times, some are 100 years old!

Exhibit hours are:

Sunday: 1pm - 5pm
Monday - Thursday: 3pm - 7pm
Friday: 3pm - 5pm
Saturday: 10am - 2pm

Social Work Intern Hiatus

Talk to a Social Work Intern hours will be suspended from December 6, 2024 to January 6, 2025 for the academic holiday break.

Thank you for your patience.

Staff Development Closures

The library will close at 1:00pm on the following days due to staff development:

Wednesday, Dec. 18

Regular operating hours will resume the following day.

Holiday Closures

The library will be closed to observe the following holidays:

Tuesday, Dec. 24: Christmas Eve

Wednesday, Dec. 25: Christmas Day

Tuesday, Dec. 31: New Year's Eve

Regular operating hours will resume after the following holiday.

for adults

Tai Chi Classes

Tuesdays (December 10 and 17) at 12:00pm

Thursday, December 26 at 5:00pm

In this discipline, slow, rhythmic movements and poses are carried out in a graceful fashion. Relaxation and fluidity of motion are emphasized and regular participants of Tai Chi enjoy increased flexibility, enhanced balance, strength gains, and a greater overall sense of well-being.

Please dress comfortably. Participants must fill out a waiver before class; waivers can be found at either of the first floor service desks.

All Seasons Chamber Players Concert

Sunday, December 22 at 3:00pm

We invite you to a concert by All Seasons Chamber Players, one of New Jersey’s most active chamber music ensembles, in the Friends Room.

Monthly Monday Book Club

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: None! We're taking a break for December.

However, if you want to get ahead on January's session, you can start reading: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig.

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

Tech Help Tuesdays

Tech Help Tuesdays will be on hiatus until January 2025. Thank you for your understanding.

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.

* No movie on Wednesday, December 25.

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

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 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.

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.

for kids

Registration begins two weeks before the start of each program. To register, come in-person at the Children's Desk or call 201-387-4040 ext. 3. 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.

Peek-a-Boo Story Time (Ages 0 - 4)

Wednesdays (December 4 - 18) at 10:30am

Children's Activity Room

Bring your little ones to enjoy a story, songs, and some finger play to practice their motor skills, learn rhymes, and help their socialization.

Holiday Cookie Decoration (Grades K - 5)

Wednesday, December 4 at 3:30pm

Children's Activity Room

Decorate your own sugar cookie with holiday edible decorations & frosting.

Santa Letter Writing (Grades K - 4)

Friday, December 6 at 3:30pm

Children's Activity Room

You bring your list and we’ll bring all the supplies you need to make your Santa letter special!

Sounds & Seasons Holiday Concert (Pre-K - Grade 4)

Wednesday, December 11 at 4:00pm

Friends Room

You’ll enjoy rocking out with Mr. Evan to popular holiday songs from around the world in this family-friendly concert.

Kwanzaa Story & Craft (Grades K - 3)

Friday, December 27 at 3:00pm

Children's Activity Room

Learn about this important holiday and make a story based craft.

Noon Year's Eve (Families)

Monday, December 30 at 11:15am

Friends Room

Wear your party clothes and let’s countdown and bring in the Noon Year together with DJ Scott, dancing games and some bubbly (sparkling apple cider).

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

Reindeer Snack Pack Giveaway (Pre-K - Grade 4)

December 9 - 20

Children's Room

Pick up a Reindeer Snack Pack.

Hanukkah Scratch Art Giveaway (Grades K - 3)

December 9 - 20

Children's Room

Pick up one scratch art shape to decorate.

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

for teens

Registration begins two weeks before the start of each program. Register in-person at the Children's Desk or over the phone at 201-387-4040 ext. 3. 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.

Quick Snacks Club (Grades 5 - 12)

Friday, December 20 at 3:15pm

Friends Room

Create a Melted Snow friend with marshmallows, sugar cookies and other treats.

* Please note that while we strive to avoid common allergens like peanuts, the foods are not guaranteed to be completely allergen free.

Junior Library Council (Grades 6 - 12)

Monday, December 16 at 6:00pm

Friends Room

A service-based volunteer program to earn community service hours while helping the library or greater Bergenfield community. Open to Bergenfield residents only. Enrollment will begin in Sep-Dec. The program runs from October-May.

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

YA Book Club

Thursdays (Oct. 10, Nov. 11, Dec. 12) at 3:15pm

YA Activity Room

Stop by the library and pick up a YA book for each month’s theme to discuss:

October Theme: Thrills & Chills
November: Buddies in Books
December: Season’s Readings

Historic Lego Landmarks Club (Grades 5-8)

Tuesdays (Sep. 24, Oct. 29, Nov. 26, Dec. 17) at 3:15pm

Friends Room

Each month we’ll have a different challenge to build landmarks such as the Taj Mahal, Eiffel Tower, Empire State Building, and the Washington Monument out of legos.

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

news from the friends

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!

Full list of sponsors

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 on the second floor mezzanine of 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 Desk or email dchoquette@bergenfieldlibrary.org