About the Plainfield Public Library

Our Profile

The award-winning Plainfield Public Library, second largest in Union County, serves the Plainfield residential and business community, as well as residents of many neighboring communities. The Library houses approximately 146,273 volumes and employs a staff of 40, of whom 14 hold M.L.S. degrees. In addition to having a large book and video collection, the Library is heavily used by the community as a meeting place and as a distribution point for information about community events and services. Cultural exhibits and special events are featured throughout the year. Free public access computers are available for word processing and access to the Internet and e-mail. A children's Computer Learning Center provides interactive learning experiences. Among the Library's most noteworthy services are its multiple award-winning Adult Literacy Program (LVA) that provides free tutoring and life-skills classes; the Children's Library, which interacts with teachers and students throughout the year and presents special programs, such as the popular Summer Reading Club and the Reading Is Fundamental program; and Special Collections, which houses the largest local history collection in Union County. The Library also offers book delivery to the homebound and services to small businesses. The basic services of the Library are funded by the City of Plainfield. Grants from private and government agencies provide funds for upgrading and enhancing services. In accordance with the legal requirements of the State of New Jersey, the library is governed by a seven-member Board of Trustees. Five community members, who serve five-year rotating terms, are appointed by the Mayor, subject to the approval of the City Council. The Mayor and Superintendent of Schools, or their appointed delegates, also sit as Trustees for the length of their terms.

Our Vision

To be the center of cultural enrichment and information for lifelong learning for the Plainfield community.

Our Mission

The Plainfield Public Library will provide all citizens of Plainfield full and equal access to information resources, technologies, and programs for a lifetime of learning and cultural enrichment, by promoting literacy, preserving the history of the community, and serving as a community center.

The Early Years

The Plainfield Public Library (and Reading Room) was incorporated in 1881, following a March 7th resolution by the Plainfield Common Council. On October 3, 1881, Mayor Lewis V. F. Randolph selected nine gentlemen to serve as the Library’s first Board of Directors. They were: Colonel Mason Tyler (who helped get the Library Act of 1879 to pass through the NJ Legislature), Craig A. Marsh and Walter L. Hetfield (both prominent Plainfield attorneys), John B. Dumont, Henry P. Talmadge, Jared K. Myers, Henry E. Daboll (all New York bankers), George H. Babcock (inventor and manufacturer), and John H. Evans (a New York chemical manufacturer).

The first library was created in rented rooms, formerly occupied by the Y.M.C.A., in which the librarian began to build a collection of books and periodicals. The first public librarian was J. Oakly Nodyne (a local justice-of-the-peace), who was paid a salary of $150 annually. By mid-1885, the Library offered a small book collection of only 178 volumes. The Library Board then solicited members of the community with fabulous response and within a year the collection grew to nearly 2,000 books.

In 1884, Job Male, a Plainfield philanthropist and the first Mayor of Plainfield, joined the Library Board. He soon offered to donate the land and a library building on the condition that others donate money and art works. The building was completed in 1886 by Job Male and donated to the Library Board of Trustees. In gratitude they named it "The Job Male Public Library, Art Gallery and Museum." The art gallery featured newly donated paintings plus temporary exhibits of other contemporary artists. The museum gallery featured natural history collections of insects, birds, and coin collections. At this time, Arthur W. Tyler, a trained librarian, was hired to organize, catalog, and maintain the collection.

In 1893, Library leader George Babcock passed away and bequeathed the sum of $10,000, as well as some local houses, to the Library for the purchase of “industrial, mechanical, and scientific books” to be designated for the creation of the “Babcock Scientific Library.” This new collection grew to such an extent that the Board, wishing to abide by Babcock’s will, planned an addition to the existing building to be erected. The addition was completed in 1900, and extended the lot up to College Place.

When Col. Mason Tyler passed away in July 1907, he left the Library $10,000, with the stipulation that the investment income be used for the purchase of books chosen by the Library Board. Honoring a personal interest of Tyler’s, the Board selected books that dealt with United States history and Americana – many of which remain in the collection today.

By then, the Library’s collection had increased to over 40,000 volumes with nearly 75,000 people visiting each year, and was in need of a larger building. In 1909, knowing that such a project would be a huge undertaking, the Library Board contacted wealthy industrialist Andrew Carnegie to see if he would consider Plainfield in addition to the other communities he was helping at that time. In 1911, Mr. Carnegie agreed to donate $50,000 for a new building. The Carnegie Building was completed in 1912 and included a large and airy, light-filled Reading Room with a 22-foot high ceiling. There was also a stack room that held 45,000 volumes and a basement lecture room that accommodated 125 people. The Library then occupied all the land donated by Job Male.

To view more historic photographs of the library, please visit our Lost But Not Forgotten online exhibit.

Our Present Building

Sixty years later, in 1961, the Library was once again in desperate need of space, as well as repair. While it held the 10th largestcollection of books in the state, with a general circulation of the 12th largest and an adult circulation of the 8th largest, the children's’ section was highly inadequate. The plumbing and electrical systems were old and sub-standard, security was lacking, meeting rooms were poorly ventilated, unsafe, and just too small. There was no parking and the basic library facilities could no longer accommodate the needs of a busy, modern-day library. The Library Board turned to the Plainfield Common Council and requested funds for the construction of a new Public Library; their request was ultimately approved.

In 1968, the present 45,000 square-foot building opened to the public, and the older buildings were razed. The main floor Reading Room was dedicated to the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - a commemorative plaque was hung next to the Circulation Desk. In 1996, the Library Board of Trustees adopted a new Master Plan to strengthen the Library's service to the community through renovations to the building.

Repairs and upgrades to the infrastructure began with the construction of two exterior ramps for handicapped access. This includes the addition of the Literacy Office Suite and the addition of four conference rooms and two quiet-study rooms.  The fully renovated Children's Library opened in September 2011.

In 2002, the climate-controlled area to preserve the local history collections of out-of-print books, maps, photographs and a unique collection of 15,000 architectural drawings of Plainfield buildings was completed. Local history materials can be located through published finding aids and searched online via the new database-driven web site.

The Library owns an exceptional art collection, with two original works by Winslow Homer and artworks by noted local artists: John G. Carlson, Jonas Lie, Riva Helfond, and Alonzo Adams.