The newly renovated library was well worth the wait! The outdoor spaces, community spaces and teen…read moreroom are three of my favorite areas. It is a welcomed addition to our community that will be utilized for many years to come!

The new Maplewood Memorial Library main branch is an absolute stunner of a building with gorgeous…read morespaces for browsing, reading, doing homework, meeting with your book club or community organization and more. The events they are putting on are wonderful and geared to so many different people and groups within Maplewood and the event spaces are gorgeous. There truly is a space for everyone and an event for everyone. It is such a wonderful community space for the town and the way the redesign has incorporated the park next door is truly inspiring. Every time I have gone since the reopening I've found it bustling with energy while still having that library-escape feel. If you haven't visited it yet, do yourself a favor and go!

A quality public library is a treasure for any community, and a visit to the Maplewood Memorial…read moreLibrary -- Hilton Branch perfectly exemplifies what a vital resource it is for local residents. Banks of computers, free wi-fi, an up-to-date selection of novels, job-seeking resources, a teen room, a multipurpose room and a separately staffed children's library with a wonderful selection of tomes for young (and future) readers make this library an essential resource for a broad swath of people. A helpful staff, access to dozens of libraries throughout Essex and Hudson counties and a convenient location (and near the lovely Maplecrest Park, to boot!) make this the perfect place to spend an afternoon -- or several -- to broaden one's horizons. I only wish it were open seven days a week!

The staff is nitpicking me and my student. Others are talking loud in the main area, but a few of…read morethem keep coming into the smaller room we are in while I am tutoring. It's a very uncomfortable place. I would not recommend this place.

Another main stay of South Orange. I've spent plenty of time here in all my years of learning. To…read morethis day it is well maintained, well ran and just welcoming for any literary information you need. The library takes part in the 'Rebl' program which allows you check out books etc. From another participating library. So if a book is out the librian will find out if another library a part of the program has it and have it held for you. The bottom floor has a very inviting children and young reader room full of things to check out and upstairs in the main library are everything else. Beyond books - editorials, magazines, newspapers and computers to use. What is great is the DVD wall. Hundreds of alphabetically ordered DVD movies are in the library ready to be checked out, so if Netflix and Redbox let you down for a movie a decade or so old you want to watch, you may find it here, for FREE! Just don't forget your library card.

The library is a fantastic resource for the community. In addition to the obvious books, music,…read moremovies, magazines, etc., they have so many programs for the community, especially kids. You need to check the monthly calendar to see what they have planned each week. The staff, as well as outside groups such as Seton Hall students, do story time several times throughout the week for various age groups. They bring in animal specialists, musical guests, and a host of other special activities. I've also asked the reference librarians for help going research on the history of the town and local community, and they were so helpful. They even contacted me when they uncovered some information days after I left. I am so impressed with their dedication, resourcefulness, and commitment to help patrons. Great Job South Orange Library!!

Bland new library in Union, NJ. We had some small library around area, but now we have big library…read morein the center of town, next to city hall. There is big parking in the back. Small one in front. Library is in new building shared with art theatre. Nice welcome addition to Union, NJ just opened in 6/2025.

I've been looking forward to the opening of our new library for over a year, and unfortunately, my…read morefirst visit was disappointing. I really wanted to love this space and make it a regular stop for my kids and me, but our experience left me feeling unwelcome. When I arrived, I wasn't greeted at all. The staff at the front desk were engaged in a personal conversation and didn't acknowledge me for several minutes, even though I was standing in line clearly waiting for assistance... I had a few questions and just needed some direction, but felt overlooked and ignored from the moment I walked in. Later during our visit, we were in the soft foam children's reading area. I removed my Crocs so I could sit comfortably on the foam blocks and read with my toddlers, assuming that shoes weren't meant to be worn in that particular area on the mats to keep it clean and safe for kids. A staff member by the name of Emily Head of youth services) asked me quite abruptly to put my shoes back on. I politely explained that we were sitting in the foam block area and that's why my shoes were off, but she responded with , "Well, that's very unsavory," and laughed. (Not in a friendly way) in front of others. It was embarrassing and completely unnecessary, especially since we weren't causing any disruption and were quietly reading together. After that exchange, I no longer felt comfortable in the space and decided to leave. We had walked 30 minutes in the heat to get there, excited to enjoy the new facility, but instead left feeling disappointed and dismissed. I truly hope the library staff can work on being more welcoming, especially to families and caregivers who just want a safe and calm space for their children to enjoy books. First impressions matters and unfortunately, this one missed the mark.

Books are like drugs and this library's a great dealer! With an excellent children's section that…read moreboasts a puppet theater, Lego stations, board games, educational computer games, and live shows and activities, my kids enjoy a couple hours here every visit and can't wait to come back. For all ages, they have books, ebooks, DVDs ($1 rental), game clubs, craft and learning workshops, and Rosetta Stone for 31 languages for free (off of their website https://www.sfplnj.org/). The staff's super helpful and accessible in person (during non-covid times) and via phone (973-376-4930) and email (questions@sfplnj.org). With so much offered for free or nearly free, I just can't get enough! NOTES/TIPS: **During covid times, they provide curbside contactless pick-up of books you request. They also offer a "Pick Five" service where you tell a librarian via email or phone a couple of books or authors you fancy, then they'll put together a package of 5 similar books you might also enjoy. **Returned books remain in quarantine for 1 week before they can be borrowed again. **This library's part of a book lending system called "Libraries of Middlesex" where you can hold and borrow books from 31 other libraries in Union and Middlesex Counties. **Wheelchair-accessible, gender-neutral restrooms. **Free wi-fi 24/7 even outside the building where there are benches.

Great place to read, get online if you don't have a computer, make copies and print materials. The…read morestaff is friendly and helpful. It's also pretty easy to sign up for a library card. They also have Saturday hours during the school year.

the library is too noisy for a library. the staff contribute to the noise. people bring babies to…read morethe library, they make calls in the library as well.

I use to go their regularly and once I checked out a book, THEY LOST THE BOOK when I returned it…read more They billed me for their own inventory issues. I even told them the day and time I returned it. I e-mailed the director of the library she didn't respond or even show the slightest of interest. I told her I put the right in front of the clerk when I returned it because they have no book drop because of the delinquent kids. I would not recommend you don't check out books or any media there they seem like they don't have it together. If you do return a book/media, take a picture of it on the desk and make sure you wait until the clerk says they have received the media. I screwed up trusting them to be competent.

It's a small, decent library fit for a small town. I would advise not to go after school hours…read moreduring the school year, some parents tend to use the library as a babysitters. There are quite a number of elementary school kids and they can be noisy. Outside of those hours, its a good place to sit and read. I used to study for exams here all the time. Some of the staff members aren't that helpful. That may be because I was in high school at the time, but usually the reference librarian who sits at her own desk is your best bet. The men and women behind the larger desk tend to have an attitude when you speak to them.

This community library on Alexander Street is the Vailsburg Branch of the Newark Public Library…read more Vailsburg is a residential neighborhood in the West Ward, which is closer to South Orange. The library is off of South Orange Ave and by Alexander Street Elementary School. The outside of the library fits in with the look of the historic neighborhood with its white trimmed, red brick, Georgian façade (a popular architectural style in the area in the 18th century). While three of the four outer walls have been preserved, the inside has been practically gutted, modernized, and expanded. The expansion is in the back of the building, where the children's room is located. Like the other NPL branches, it serves the needs of the immediate community and provides library resources for adults and children. Because there are a couple of K-8 schools in the neighborhood, there is a focus on being a resource for students, parents, and teachers. There are story and craft time activities, as well as early educational materials, resources, and other media. Children have access to computers, too. Adults also have access to computers with Internet browsing, basic word processing, and the library's electronic resources. A distinguishing highlight of this branch is its collection of new African-American novels and videos. Newark Public Library is a wonderful library. Its branches are essential in supporting the NPL's noteworthy vision and mission. For that, I give the branches 4-stars for the work that its employees and volunteers do to enrich the lives of the people in the community.