History and Overview of PPL

A gateway to knowledge, the Piscataway Public Library (PPL) provides free and open access to information through professionally selected resources.  The history of PPL's service to the community began almost 200 years ago at Nathaniel Hotten’s Inn on April 9, 1812 when the first library in Piscataway, the New Market Library Company, was organized. The newly formed Company was governed by a five member Board of Trustees and was in existence until at least 1843.  Almost 100 years later, the next organized public library was formed on May 16, 1935—The Piscataway Township Public Library Association. It had several locations during its history. Its first home was a small wooden building on Lakeview Avenue that was formerly a firehouse and a post office.  By the Association’s 10th anniversary, Johanna W. Westergard, a former school librarian, was active on the Piscataway Library Board. She would go on to champion the municipalization of Piscataway Public Library.  By the spring of 1961, in response to the urging of the Association Library Board, the Piscataway Township Committee proposed an ordinance to create a municipal library. The township residents would approve the referendum in November of 1961 and in April of 1963, after a period of reorganization, the Library became the Piscataway Township Free Public Library, supported almost entirely by municipal tax dollars.

The John F. Kennedy and Johanna W. Westergard Libraries

The John F. Kennedy Library, the main library of Piscataway Township, opened on August 2, 1965 and currently occupies 28,500 square feet, and houses over 135,000 volumes of books. The Johanna W. Westergard Library, the branch library, opened in 1981. Formerly known as the New Market Branch Library, it was located in several locations in the New Market area of Piscataway. The Library was named in honor of Mrs. Johanna W. Westergard, an ardent supporter of library service who served as a member of the Library Board of Trustees from 1943 through 1983. The Library's popular web site offers remote services such as access to the iBistro on-line catalog, magazines articles and research databases; virtual services such as ListenNJ offering free audio book downloads; and popular web links including access to Q&A NJ, a 24-hour live, on-line, web-based reference service.

Library Materials

Materials available for loan at PPL include fiction and non-fiction books, paperbacks, magazines, encyclopedias, literacy materials, videos, DVDs, CDs, audio books, DVD players, videocassette players, projectors and telecommunication devices for the deaf. The Library also offers foreign language collections in Spanish, Gujarati, Chinese and Hindi.

Library Staff

More than 50% of the Library's employees work part-time. Part-time and full-time employees together make the equivalent of 37 full-time employees.  The Library's staff members are specially trained in children's, adult and young adult services to handle questions and requests for materials. The Library subscribes to databases that provide citations to newspaper and magazine articles on a variety of subjects. Articles can be obtained in print, microfilm or an online format. As a member of the New Jersey Library Network, Piscataway Library has the power to go far beyond its own doors to provide the information needed.

Programs at PPL

The Library offers year-round programs for community members of all ages. Patrons can learn about these programs through the Library’s monthly calendars, bi-monthly newsletter or by browsing the PPL web site. Adult programs include concerts, foreign films, exhibits, family entertainment, lectures, seminars and author presentations. Craft workshops, theatre groups, story times and summer reading clubs round out the programs offered for children and teens.

Volunteer Opportunities at PPL

PPL offers volunteer opportunities for adults and teens who wish to become involved with the Library. Another opportunity for Library patrons is membership with The Friends of Piscataway Library. An award winning, non-profit organization who champion Library services through advocacy and fundraising events, the Friends activities include underwriting special programs at the Library, making contributions toward equipment and building enhancements and holding annual book sales.