Colonel Floyd James Thompson Exhibit Opening

Tuesday, November 10 at 4:00pm

Friends Room

The Bergenfield Public Library will unveil a new permanent exhibit honoring Colonel Floyd James “Jim” Thompson, a former Bergenfield resident and the longest-held American prisoner of war (POW) in U.S. history.

The exhibit will showcase a collection of Colonel Thompson’s military medals and memorabilia, offering visitors a unique opportunity to learn more about his extraordinary military service, courage, and nearly nine years of captivity during the Vietnam War. . Community members are invited to attend the opening and view these remarkable pieces of American military history.

Colonel Thompson’s story is one of extraordinary resilience and service, and the Library is proud to honor his connection to Bergenfield and preserve his legacy for future generations. Copies of "Glory Denied: The Vietnam Saga of Jim Thompson, America’s Longest-Held Prisoner of War" by Tom Philpott, which chronicles Colonel Thompson’s experience, will also be available for purchase at the Library for $20. Proceeds from book sales will benefit the Friends of the Bergenfield Library.

For more information about this new exhibit, visit our website.

Holiday Closures

The library will be closed to observe the following holiday(s):

Wednesday, November 11: Veterans Day

Wednesday, November 25: Early Closure at 6:00pm

Thursday, November 26: Thanksgiving Day

Friday, November 27: Day after Thanksgiving

Regular operating hours will resume after the holiday.

Programming Survey

We want your feedback about our library programming! Get a physical copy at the desk or click the button below to fill out our survey.

Survey will close on January 31, 2027. For any questions, contact the library director, Allison, at aballo@bergenfieldlibrary.org.

New BCCLS eContent Password Requirement

A few months ago, OverDrive had announced a change to their authentication process, which introduced a password requirement for new and existing patrons.

All patrons who use shared BCCLS eContent will now need to enter their library password in Overdrive, Libby, and Kanopy.

• New patrons will need to enter it along with their library card number to begin borrowing.
• Existing patrons will need to enter it to continue borrowing.

If you don't know your password, you can reset it by using the forgot password option in the BCCLS online catalog, or you can contact their library.

Questions? Contact the Reference Desk.

Diwali Celebration

Sunday, November 1 at 2:00pm

Friends Room

Celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights, at the library with events that include: bingo, story time, kids’ henna station and crafts, entertainment, a fashion show of traditional clothes, and more. Light refreshments will be provided.

"Discover Your Tech" Pop-Up Workshop

Friday, November 6 at 1:00pm

Friends Room

Senior Digital Literacy Program Empowering Bergenfield Seniors through Intergenerational Tech Mentorship coordinated by Tech Me. This is a flexible monthly series combining a 60-minute community Discovery Pop-Up with focused two-day micro-cohort workshops for groups of four to five seniors to help learn about their interests, comfort levels, experience with devices and technology, and what they would most like assistance with. 

Follow-up sessions only for participants are held on Mondays & Thursdays from Nov. 9 - 30.



Registration required. For Bergenfield residents only.

Stress Less & Color

Thursdays (November 10 & 24) at 2:30pm

Friends Room

Relax and enjoy a fun coloring session for adults. Coloring pages and supplies will be provided. No experience needed - just come, color, and have fun!

Registration required.

Heart Health Workshop

Thursday, November 12 at 5:00pm

Friends Room

Join certified EMTs and trained first responders for an engaging, practical workshop focused on heart health and emergency awareness. Learn what your blood pressure and cholesterol can tell you, which everyday habits can actually make a difference, and how to recognize the warning signs of a heart attack, stroke, and cardiac emergency. Through real-world insight and interactive discussion, you’ll leave with practical knowledge that could help you protect your own health or recognize when someone around you may need immediate help.

Registration required.

Gladius: Flamenco Fusion Guitar Concert

Sunday, November 15 at 2:00pm

Friends Room

Come join us to listen to Gladius, a guitarist who "Carlos Santana meets Eddie Van Halen in a... standoff", perform flamenco fusion at the library!

Afternoon Book Club

Monday, November 16 at 1:30pm

Young Adult Activity Room

Want to chat about books on a Monday afternoon? Flip through those pages and head over to our monthly Afternoon Book Club!

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

Adult Dungeons & Dragons

Wednesday, November 18 at 6:30pm

Friends Room

Join us for 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. Spectators are also welcome!

Registration required.

Cook, Chat, Connect: Adult Cookbook Club

Thursday, November 19 at 6:30pm

Friends Room

Join us for Cook • Chat • Connect: Adult Cookbook club! This month's meeting, we will cook from: Dinner in One: 100 exceptional and easy one-pan meals by Melissa Clark.

Participants will choose one recipe from the cookbook, prepare it at home, and bring a small portion (approximately 6-8 tasting servings) to share with the group. During the program, we will taste and discuss the dishes, share cooking experiences, discover new ingredients and flavors, and connect through food and personal stories. Please label your dish with the recipe name and major allergens/ingredients. No professional cooking experience is necessary; just bring a dish, your recipe, and your enthusiasm!

Registration required. Copies of the book will be available for pickup at the Reference Desk. This is a social cookbook club, not a cooking class.

Chair Yoga & Meditation

Mondays at 6:00pm

Friends Room

Join a certified yoga instructor, Sujatha Nair, Sky Meditation facilitator and Certified Yoga Facilitator from Art of Living for a session of chair yoga and meditation. Walk-ins welcome. Please wear comfortable clothes. Walk-ins welcome. Please wear comfortable clothes.

This program is part of the Mayor's Wellness Program.

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

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

Registration is now solely on our online calendar. Program registration opens four weeks before the program start date. Only one adult per registered child. 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.

Stories & Creations (Ages K - 2)

Tuesday, November 3 at 5:30pm

Children's Activity Room

Join Ms. Celia for a fun-filled program featuring a read-aloud followed by a hands-on craft or activity. Read it. Make it. Love it!

Music & Movement: Sensory Storytime (Ages 1 - 4)

Sunday, November 8 at 3:00pm

Children's Activity Room

Have fun singing with Ms. Michelle of MP Music who will lead little ones in a super fun and interactive sensory story time. Bergenfield residents only.

Bilingual Storytime (Ages 3 - 5)

Wednesdays (November 4, 18, 25) at 10:30am

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.

Acompaña a Ms. Celia en una experiencia divertida y educativa en nuestra hora de Cuentos Bilingües. Disfruta de historias en español e inglés que incluyen libros ilustrados, canciones y actividades interactivas.

"Minute to Win It" STEM Challenge (Grades 3 - 5)

Thursday, November 5 at 2:00pm

Children's Activity Room

A fun program with quick one-minute challenges to test your brain.

Jiggles and Wiggles (Ages 1 - 4)

Tuesdays (November 10 - 24) at 10:30am

Children's Activity Room

Sing and dance and get all of your jiggles and wiggles out. Bergenfield residents only.

Puppet Forest Friends & You (Grades K - 3)

Monday, November 16 at 4:15pm

Children's Activity Room

Puppets are utilized to help students learn various social emotional life skills, such as feelings, communication, honesty, trust and respect that they can apply towards positive peer relationships. Instructed by New Jersey Statewide Student Support Services (NJ4S).

Create and Design Bracelets (Grades K - 2)

Tuesday, November 17 at 3:45pm

Children's Activity Room

You’ll learn about the beautiful patterns used in traditional Native American bracelet design and then create similar ones with craft materials.

Make a Clay coil Pot (Grades 3 - 5)

Thursday, November 19 at 3:45pm

Children's Activity Room

Celebrate Native American Heritage Month by creating a clay pot to keep. You’ll follow instructions to create a simplified version of the coil pots that were common among the Southwestern tribes of the United States.

Storytime with a Trooper: Meet Sergeant Malik & K9 Moka (Grades K - 3)

Friday, November 20 at 3:45pm

Friends Room

Meet State Trooper Malik and the furriest police officer in town, Moka! You’ll hear a fun story and get to hang out with the adorable K9.

Mike Zig Magic (Families)

Sunday, November 22 at 2:00pm

Friends Room

You will be astonished by the illusions and magic Mr Mike can do. He will pull you into the show for a performance you won’t forget.

Turkey Time (Grades K - 2)

Monday, November 23 at 3:45pm

Children's Activity Room

Join Miss Jo Anne for this program that’s all about turkeys! You’ll have fun making turkey crafts, making your own “turkey” donut, and more!

Thankful Tree (Grades K - 5)

Throughout November

Children's Room

What are you thankful for? Come into the Children’s room and write out what you are thankful for and add it to our Thankful Tree.

Registration is now solely on our online calendar. 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.

DIY Self-Care Products (Grades 6 - 12)

Monday, November 9 at 3:45pm

Young Adult Activity Room

Learn about the benefits of making DIY, self-care products. We’ll compare natural ingredients against synthetic ones and learn about sourcing natural ingredients and making your own self-care products such as:

• October 5: Body wash
• November 9: Lip balm
• December 7: Deodorant

Limited supplies. One per attendee.

Intro to Worldbuilding: Make a Fantasy Map (Grades 6 - 12)

Thursday, November 12 at 4:15pm

Young Adult Activity Room

Come and Discuss the Who, Where, and Why of Fantasy and Fictional Worlds, and make a Map of a world YOU create!!

Make a Button Bowl (Grades 6 - 12)

Monday, November 16 at 3:15pm

Young Adult Activity Room

Let’s celebrate Button Day by making a bowl with actual buttons.

Junior Library Council (Grades 6 - 12)

Monday, November 23 at 6:00pm

Young Adult Activity 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 begins Sep. 8 and ends Dec. 14. Only currently enrolled JLC members may attend scheduled meetings. No drop-ins.

YA Monthly Raffle (Grades 6 - 12)

Throughout November

Young Adult Room

Enter our monthly raffle for a chance to win a small prize. You must have a Bergenfield Library card to enter.

Kindness Paper Quilt (Grades 6 - 12)

Throughout November

Young Adult Room

Spread kindness this month! Create your special paper square design and add it to a large community paper quilt.

Nails & Tales (Grades 6 - 12)

Monday, November 2 at 3:15pm

Young Adult Activity Room

Drop in to paint your nails using our polish or bring your own and spend time talking with friends and listening to music.

Pop Culture Trivia (Grades 6 - 12)

Wednesday, November 18 at 3:15pm

Young Adult Activity Room

Test your pop-culture knowledge and earn a chance to win a small prize! 

Manga Coloring (Grades 6 - 12)

Monday, November 30 at 3:15pm

Young Adult Activity Room

Do you love manga? Then you’ll enjoy this relaxing activity! Choose different characters to color, socialize with friends and listen to music.

Talk with 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 University and Rutgers University Schools of Social Work.

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 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.

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

Study Rooms

Need a quiet place to study, do research, or write a report? The Library has two options available for visitors.

Clinton Avenue Study Rooms:

Two Quiet Study Rooms are available on the Clinton Avenue side of the building and can accommodate up to 6 people. A reservation is required to use these rooms (can only be reserved by individuals 18 and older).

Sessions for Clinton Avenue Study Rooms are limited to one two-hour session with same day registration. Once your reservation is confirmed, you may go to the Reference Desk and staff will unlock the Study Room.

Anderson Avenue Study Rooms: 

Four Quiet Study Rooms are available at the back end of the Reference Area and can accommodate up to two people. To sign up for a Study Room go to the Reference Desk; identification in the form of a library card, driver’s license or School ID is required at sign-in.

Ongoing Jewelry Donations

Donate your no-longer-wanted jewelry to benefit the Bergenfield Public Library! The Friends of the Library are accepting jewelry donations.

Women’s and men's jewelry are welcome: from fine to costume to vintage, watches and single earrings. All items should be in saleable condition.

To donate, place your jewelry in a sealed plastic bag along and drop off at the Check Out Desk.

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!

Book 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 Service Desk or email dchoquette@bergenfieldlibrary.org

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.

...and on Instagram, too!

The Friends of the Library now have their own Instagram account! If Facebook's not your vibe, follow their Insta for your Friends news!

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
• Sarah Shaffren, Recording Secretary
• Jamie Orlando, Treasurer
• Mayor Arvin Amatorio
• Fanny Cruz-Betesh
• Natalie Rivas
• 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