Hudson County Public Libraries: Free Programs and Perks in 10 Towns

One of the best deals in Hudson County, NJ costs nothing at all: a public library card. Our team looked at the official library websites across the county and pulled together addresses, hours and the free perks that come with a card, from digital movies to story times and study rooms. Here is your guide to public libraries in 10 Hudson County towns.

Bayonne Public Library

The Bayonne Public Library at 697 Avenue C is one of New Jersey’s original 36 Carnegie libraries still in use, opened in 1904. Regular hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Its services page says your first Bayonne card is free, and free “BPL Public” Wi-Fi needs no password. The building also hosts the Mary O’Connor Gallery for art and performances.

Hoboken Public Library

The Hoboken Public Library main branch at 500 Park Avenue is open seven days a week, including Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and has self-service pickup lockers available 24/7. There is also a Grand Street Branch at 124 Grand Street and a Learning Center at 401 Harrison Street with homework help for students.

Jersey City Free Public Library

Jersey City’s flagship is the Priscilla Gardner Main Library at 472 Jersey Avenue, part of the Jersey City Free Public Library system with branches across the city’s neighborhoods. Check the library’s site for branch hours and programs near you.

Kearny Public Library

The Kearny Public Library is at 318 Kearny Avenue, open weekdays from 10 a.m. (until 8 p.m. on Wednesdays) and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a branch at 759 Kearny Avenue. Its calendar is full of hands-on kids’ programs, including chess and sewing workshops, and the Kearny Museum shares the main building.

North Bergen Free Public Library, Including Guttenberg

The North Bergen Free Public Library runs the Kennedy Branch at 1231 Kennedy Boulevard and the Sai Rao Public Library at 8411 Bergenline Avenue, which is also open Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. It also operates the Guttenberg Resource Center in the Galaxy Towers Mall at 7002 Boulevard East, Unit 115. Note that the library lists closures on Wednesday, November 11 for Veterans Day and Thursday and Friday, November 26 and 27 for Thanksgiving.

Secaucus Public Library

The Secaucus Public Library main library is at 1379 Paterson Plank Road, with the Katherine Steffens Annex at 1007 Riverside Station Boulevard. Its homepage highlights museum passes, meeting and study rooms, and a long list of digital services: Libby, Hoopla, Kanopy, Udemy, Mango for language learning and Heritage Quest for genealogy.

Union City Public Library

The Union City Public Library main building at 324 43rd Street is closed for construction, so head to the branch at 1800 Summit Avenue. The library’s calendar has featured bilingual storytime, pajama storytime, music and movement, teen programs and drop-in arts and crafts.

Weehawken Free Public Library

The Weehawken Free Public Library at 49 Hauxhurst Avenue keeps some of the longest hours in the county: until 9 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, plus Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The township posts a monthly library newsletter on the same page.

West New York Public Library

The West New York Public Library at 425 60th Street opened in 1917 and holds about 75,000 items. Cards are free for residents, and cardholders get free Hoopla streaming. Its free “Move and Make” toddler program runs Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to noon at the West New York Cultural Center, 5712 Bergenline Avenue, with no registration needed.

How to Get the Most From Your Card

• Bring ID and proof of address. Most libraries ask for both when you sign up.
• Go digital. Apps like Hoopla and Libby let you borrow movies, ebooks and audiobooks from home.
• Ask about museum passes. Several libraries lend them, so check your library’s site for what is available.
• Check holiday hours. Libraries close for Thanksgiving and other holidays.

Looking for more low-cost fun? Check our guide to things to do in Hudson County this weekend, and plan a fall walk with our waterfront parks guide.

Support Your Local Library

Libraries are some of our favorite community spaces. While you are supporting local, vote for your favorite businesses and nonprofits in the Best of Hudson County 2026 awards, and subscribe to our newsletter for more local guides.

Featured photo: ajay_suresh, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0).