Public library systems in New Jersey
The 262 profiled public library systems in New Jersey served 8.4 million residents in FY 2024 and logged 3.26 visits and 4.20 physical checkouts per resident, which ranks 22nd and 29th among the 50 states and DC. Operating spending came to $63.54 per resident (13th nationally). Local government supplied 96% of operating revenue, against 85% for all profiled systems nationwide, and the state government 1%.
The largest system is Ocean County Library, serving 636,202 residents; 17 systems serve 100,000 or more. At the end of the year, 47% of the state's profiled systems charged no overdue fines on print items. The most common legal form is the municipal library (218 systems).
Visits per resident, system by system
Each dot is one New Jersey system, grouped by the size of the population it serves; darker dots have their own profile page. The gold tick marks the national median for that size class.
The 20 largest systems
| System | City | Residents | Visits per resident | Checkouts per resident | Spending per resident |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean County Library | Toms River | 636,202 | 2.42 | 5.05 | $73.32 |
| Morris County Library | Whippany | 509,285 | 0.24 | 0.51 | $15.21 |
| Monmouth County Library | Manalapan | 425,110 | 1.89 | 3.46 | $38.90 |
| Burlington County Library | Westampton | 363,983 | 1.76 | 2.82 | $34.45 |
| Camden County Library | Voorhees | 324,221 | 1.45 | 1.73 | $33.51 |
| Newark Public Library | Newark | 311,549 | 0.86 | 0.21 | $45.03 |
| Jersey City Free Public Library | Jersey City | 292,449 | 1.93 | 1.27 | $53.01 |
| Somerset County Library | Bridgewater | 224,243 | 3.86 | 9.27 | $84.06 |
| Atlantic County Library | Mays Landing | 214,422 | 3.50 | 2.50 | $41.52 |
| Mercer County Library | Lawrenceville | 168,771 | 5.44 | 8.56 | $102.71 |
| Paterson Free Public Library | Paterson | 159,732 | 0.70 | 0.23 | $26.82 |
| Elizabeth Free Public Library | Elizabeth | 137,298 | 2.55 | 0.90 | $33.99 |
| Sussex County Library | Newton | 124,621 | 2.47 | 4.67 | $54.71 |
| Hunterdon County Library | Flemington | 118,700 | 2.66 | 5.64 | $54.05 |
| Gloucester County Library | Mullica Hill | 114,460 | 2.16 | 2.81 | $57.69 |
| Edison Township Free Public Library | Edison | 107,588 | 2.81 | 4.76 | $64.50 |
| Woodbridge Public Library | Woodbridge | 103,639 | 2.36 | 2.99 | $60.83 |
| Hamilton Township Free Public Library | Hamilton | 92,297 | 0.64 | 1.21 | $32.38 |
| Trenton Free Public Library | Trenton | 90,871 | 1.01 | 0.24 | $27.04 |
| Clifton Public Library | Clifton | 90,296 | 1.74 | 4.08 | $44.51 |
Highest rates among systems serving 5,000 or more
Of the state's profiled systems, 235 serve at least 5,000 residents.
Visits per resident
- Princeton Public Library · 22.45
- Paramus Public Library · 18.33
- Ocean City Free Public Library · 16.97
- Margate City Public Library · 16.63
- Bedminster-Far Hills · 13.77
Checkouts per resident
- Ocean City Free Public Library · 21.51
- Closter Public Library · 17.61
- Montvale Free Public Library · 16.93
- Paramus Public Library · 16.72
- Chathams Joint Free Public Library · 16.60
Spending per resident
- Ocean City Free Public Library · $330.65
- Margate City Public Library · $324.79
- Princeton Public Library · $203.74
- Paramus Public Library · $158.02
- Millburn Free Public Library · $155.62
Revenue mix
Combined operating revenue of $595 million across the 262 systems that reported every revenue source.
- Local government
- State
- Federal
- Other
More system profiles
- Princeton Public Library · Princeton