The Westfield Memorial Library is the sole public library serving Westfield, Union County, New Jersey, United States. It is located at 550 East Broad Street, Westfield, NJ 07090.
History and Background
The library serves as the primary public library for the community of Westfield. It is supported in part by the "Friends of the Westfield Memorial Library" (FWML), a 100% volunteer organization founded over 30 years ago that has donated more than $850,000 to the library. Funds are raised through annual book sales and member donations.
Facilities and Services
The library underwent a renovation approximately five years ago. The first floor houses a large children's section and a dedicated teen area. The second floor is oriented toward adult patrons and includes a magazine section with seating, public computers, tables and chairs for quiet study, the complete non-fiction collection, newspapers, historical yearbooks from Westfield, and community rooms. Computers are available throughout the building, and free wireless internet is provided.
Digital and Online Resources
The library offers a wide range of digital services, including:
- Libby (ebooks, magazines, and audiobooks)
- Blinkist (summarized eAudiobooks and eBooks)
- Hoopla (movies, audiobooks, eBooks, and music)
- Freegal (music streaming)
- Mango Languages (language learning)
- Press Reader (online newspapers)
- Kanopy (video streaming)
- Creative Bug (online arts and crafts instruction)
- LinkedIn Learning (continuing online education)
- Research Databases
The library also provides museum passes, study room reservations, remote printing, and mobile hot spots.
Fine-Free Policy
The Westfield Memorial Library operates a fine-free policy, eliminating late fines on materials. The library's stated rationale is that monetary fines create economic barriers to access, particularly for vulnerable populations including children, seniors, and economically disadvantaged families.
Hours of Operation
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday–Thursday | 9:30 AM – 8:30 PM |
| Friday–Saturday | 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Sunday | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM |
Contact
- Address: 550 East Broad Street, Westfield, NJ 07090
- Phone: (908) 789-4090
- Director: Allen McGinley
- Website: wmlnj.org
