About Us


The East Orange Public Library helps people of all ages meet their informational, educational, and recreational needs by acquiring, organizing, and assisting in the use of print and non-print resources.

The East Orange Free Public Library, as we now know it, began in 1900 when the Mayor and City Council voted an appropriation of $3,000.00 for establishing a library and appointed a Board of Trustees.

At the first meeting of that Board, a letter from Andrew Carnegie was read offering $50,000.00 for the construction of a library building if the City would provide a site and maintenance of not less than $5,000.00 a year for the library. The land, at the corner of Munn Avenue and Freeway Drive East (then Main Street), was purchased at a cost of $22,182.00, and the building was designed by Kent, Jardine, and Kent in an unusual fan-shape to make maximum use of the corner lot.

The new building was opened on January 22, 1903, with 9,000 volumes ready for borrowing.

Four years later Andrew Carnegie presented the City with another $20,000.00 to be used in the building of two branch libraries. The Franklin Branch was completed in 1909 and the Elmwood Branch in 1912. Mr. Carnegie’s generosity was still not complete. In 1913, he gave an additional sum of $50,000.00 to the City to enlarge the Main Library. This construction was completed in 1915.

The Ampere Branch was the only library facility not built with Carnegie funds. In 1914, a deposit station was established in the Ampere section, but the present branch was not opened as a library until 1931 when the City built a new fire station on Springdale Avenue and renovated the old Ampere Fire Station to become a branch library. This unlikely renovation was done with great imagination and resulted in a charming and individual library for Ampere residents. Nine years later a substantial addition was made to the Franklin Branch.

Over the years, with a greatly increased population and demand for services, the original Main Library became insufficient to public needs. The present Main Library, opened in August 1973, at the corner of Freeway Drive East and South Arlington Avenue, brought a new era of library service to East Orange residents.

The original East Orange Public Library, planned and organized by civic-minded residents, was open four hours a week. Today, library patrons in East Orange can use their library 64 hours, 6 days a week, borrowing books, audiobooks, e-books, and DVDs; accessing the Internet through the use of more than 70 public computers on-site; and enjoying a variety of classes and cultural programs.

Adapted from a paper prepared by Charlotte Perkins, October 1975.

Monday and Friday: 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Holiday Closings
New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Lincoln’s Birthday
Presidents Day
Good Friday
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Saturday before Labor Day
Labor Day
Columbus Day
Election Day
Veterans’ Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day

Our Staff

JP Porcaro, Library Director

P. Holmes, Deputy Director of Library Services

Jenny Tong, Technical Services & Technology ; Circulation Services

Nancy Tinney, Children’s Services

Nathalia Bermudez, Adult Services & Teen Services

Rashond Smith, Reference Services

 

Library Board Meeting Information

The following library board meetings will be held on ZOOM ONLY! Each Zoom link will be posted below.

March Board Meeting

Time: Mar 14, 2024 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84120823574?pwd=SWA5Gbx0ZDvrXT79CcsnxwjOWX3Wga.1

Meeting ID: 841 2082 3574

Passcode: 083014

 


Board Members

Hon. Jimmy Small, President
Gloria L. Holt, Vice President
Jacquelyn Davis, Treasurer
Hon. Mumtaz Bari-Brown, Member
Laudaine Simeon, Member
Lynella George, Member
Bergson Leneus, Council Liaison
Jada Braime-Butler, Mayor’s Designee

 

Librarian I (Youth Programming) Position at EOPL

The East Orange Public Library (EOPL) is seeking an enthusiastic professional to support the vision of a busy multicultural urban library that is dedicated to making a difference in the community.  We value diversity, initiative, creativity, flexibility, teamwork and are committed to service excellence.

This is a great opportunity for a self-motivated and enthusiastic professional who loves working with the public. Position includes evenings and Saturdays. 37 ½ hour work week.

The Children’s Department is seeking an enthusiastic, community-oriented, and innovative librarian with strong customer service skills to join our team. Under the supervision of the Head of Children’s Services, the youth programming librarian will be responsible for providing supervision of staff,  reference, readers’ advisory, programming, and technology assistance to children and their caregivers. We are looking for someone with a passion for programming, outreach, and working with youth. Experience with STEM programming, virtual library services, and knowledge of current library trends is highly desired. This position is 37 ½ hours per week, including at least one evening per week and  at least one Saturday per month.   Also, expected to work and may be assigned to other departments in the library or other branch locations based on library needs.

  • Plan and implement virtual, Grab & Go, and in-person (when appropriate)
    children’s programs for birth through seventh graders including tweens.
  • Outreach and collaboration with schools and community partners
  • Reference and readers’ advisory for adults and children
  • Collection development
  • Cataloging responsibilities

Qualifications:

  • Positive, pro-active attitude and ability to provide outstanding customer service
  • Master’s Degree in Information Science, Library Service or Library Science is required or MLIS or equivalent from an ALA   accredited institution
  • NJ Public Library Certification
  • General knowledge of children’s literature
  • Some experience with children’s library programming required
  • Ability to develop a good rapport with children and caregivers to identify their needs and interests
  • Familiarity with technology and social media and the ability to adapt to changes in technology
  • Speak, write and communicate in English effectively
  • Knowledge of STEM Programming

 Salary and Benefits:

EOPL pays the NJLA minimum salary for Full-time Librarian I.

The position offers medical benefits, paid vacation, personal and sick time. The library participates in the State PERS pension plan.

Requirements to apply:

  1. An NJ Professional Certificate or ALA-accredited Masters in Library & Information Science.
  2. Residency in the State of New Jersey within one year of hire in accordance with New Jersey Revised Statutes § 52:14-7.
  3. Three files: a cover letter as a .pdf, a resume as a .pdf, and three references as a .pdf. These three files must be attached to a single    email, sent to the Director at jp@eopl.org, with the email subject “EOPL Children’s Librarian Application”. Only applicants who follow this format will be considered. Email must be received by March 31, 2024. The position is open immediately.  For more information about the East Orange Public Library, see www.eopl.org.

 

Grant Writer & Community Engagement Coordinator (Librarian 2)

The East Orange Public Library (EOPL)–located at the center of the vibrant, diverse community of East Orange–is looking for a qualified candidate to write grants and oversee the marketing of its programs and services.

The Grant Writer & Community Engagement Coordinator reports to Library Administration and will identify, define and develop funding sources to support existing and planned program activities as well as lead the development, writing, and submission of grant proposals to federal, state, and private funding agencies.

Primary responsibilities include preparation of proposals and grant applications, and performance of responsible professional and administrative work in researching, identifying, developing and responding to public and private grant opportunities in areas that support East Orange Public Library programs.

The position is also responsible for collecting, analyzing, and reporting data on the performance of program activities that are funded by federal, state, and private funding agencies.

In addition, this position is directly responsible for marketing and publicity of services and programs, such as creating press releases, PowerPoint presentations, social media campaigns, flyers, signage, image branding, website updates, and performing other work as assigned.

Experience and expertise in the creation of marketing and publicity materials utilizing computer software (Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Publisher, Canva, Constant Contact, etc.) is necessary. Knowledge of social media marketing practices highly desirable. Experience in a public library or related non-profit is preferred.

Essential Functions

  • Researches and identifies new government, corporate, foundation and private funding prospects to match public library priorities;
  • Generates high-quality proposals, narratives, applications and supporting documents in response to solicitations consistent with all policies and procedures of the East Orange Public Library (EOPL) and the requirements and guidelines of the funding agencies;
  • Generates revenues for EOPL programs through timely submission of well-researched, well written and well-documented grant proposals;
  • Maintains primary responsibility for grant schedules and tracking grants;
  • Serves as a liaison to all funding agencies and organizations;
  • Works with appropriate personnel to research, develop, write and submit letters of inquiry, concept papers and grant proposals;
  • Coordinates and follows-up on the progress of submitted proposals;
  • Coordinates with the Library Budget Officer to create expenditure and income budgets to accompany proposals;

Applicants must interact effectively with staff and the public in a professional and positive manner, and have excellent interpersonal and communications skills. The successful candidate for this position must be available to work a flexible schedule including evening and weekend hours as required. A commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion is necessary. This position will report to Library Administration but will work with other Senior Staff.

Qualifications: Master’s Degree in Library Science with graduate/undergraduate courses or experience with Graphic Design, Marketing, or other related field is required. Applicants must present a current portfolio of successfully created marketing and publicity work at the interview.

Pay and Benefits:  NJLA minimum for Librarian 2. Full time position 37 ½ hrs. Per week. Offers generous benefit package as well.

Requirements to apply:

  1. An NJ Professional Certificate or ALA-accredited Masters in Library & Information Science.
  2. Residency in the State of New Jersey within one year of hire in accordance with New Jersey Revised Statutes § 52:14-7.3
  3. Three files: a cover letter as a .pdf, a resume as a .pdf, and three references as a .pdf.  These three files must be attached to a single email, sent to the Director at jp@eopl.org, with the email subject “EOPL Grant Writer & Community Engagement Coordinator Application”.   Only applicants who follow this format will be considered. Email must be received by March 31, 2024. The position is open immediately.  For more information about the East Orange Public Library, see www.eopl.org.  . EOPL is a Civil Service and Affirmative Action Employer.

 

The Friends of the East Orange Public Library are an alliance of business & civic leaders, community advocates, and concerned citizens dedicated to the progressive growth of the library in its service to the community.

East Orange Public Library
21 South Arlington Ave.
East Orange, NJ 07018

Get Directions

Administration Office: 973-266-5607
Adult & Teen Services: 973-266-5633
Children’s Department: 973-266-5627
Circulation Desk: 973-266-5601
Information Desk: 973-266-7049

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