About PPL
The Piscataway Public Library has been a municipal public library since 1961. It is governed by a nine member Board of Trustees appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Township Council. The Library is supported primarily through local property taxes. Other sources of income for the Library include: per capita state aid, grants, gifts from individuals and organizations, fines and interest on savings.
Piscataway Public Library serves an area of 19 square miles with a population of 50,482 via three Library services outlets: The John F. Kennedy Library, the Johanna W. Westergard Branch Library, and the Library's Web site.
The John F. Kennedy Library
The John F. Kennedy Library, which is our Reference Center, was expanded and renovated in 1989. It contains a collection of over 135,000 books, both popular and informative; non-print materials, such as videos and audio materials; periodicals; and computer reference sources in a 28,500 square foot building. There are Special Collections for Local History, Parenting, Career Development, Grant Opportunities, and World Languages. A Literacy Collection is also housed here which includes materials for English as a Second Language (ESL) and Adult Basic Reading (ABR), as well as materials to assist new immigrants.
The Johanna W. Westergard Library
The Johanna W. Westergard Library, renovated during 1996-97, is the branch library. It contains a collection of over 45,000 books, non-print materials, periodicals and computer reference sources in a 10,000 square foot building. Special Collections at this location also include Parenting, Literacy, Career Development and World Languages. The Technical Services Department, responsible for the receipt and processing of all new Library materials, is located at the Westergard Library.
The Library's Materials and Catalog
Library customers are able to view the entire Library's holdings on the public access catalogs located at Kennedy and Westergard Libraries. The Library's catalog is also available through the Library website and materials may be reserved on-line. Materials may be reserved or requested from any of the service outlets. Daily delivery service is maintained between the two Libraries.
The Library's Memberships
Piscataway Public Library is a member of the Libraries of Middlesex Automation Consortium benefiting from the shared resources of more than 25 other public libraries and the Middlesex County Community College. Infolink, a regional network of public, school, academic, and special libraries funded through the New Jersey State Library, provides Piscataway with a statewide delivery system and continuing education for staff. The N.J. State Library manages a statewide Inter Library Loan system and funds backup reference service. Piscataway Public Library actively participates in reciprocal borrowing agreements with other public libraries in Middlesex, Union and Somerset counties.
