News

ConsumerReports (CR)

Consumer Reports (CR) is the world’s largest nonprofit product-testing organization and has been helping subscribers find better, safer products for 80+ years. Consumer Reports accepts no outside advertising and no free test samples, and employs shoppers and experts to buy and test the products reviewed.

With ConsumerReports.org, users can:

• Compare price, performance, and reliability all in one place with expert reviews
• Purchase the best product from favorite retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Home Depot, etc., on an ad-free, frequently updated website
• Find reliable information on new and used cars and enjoy a haggle-free buying experience through Consumer Reports’ Build and Buy program
• Obtain reliable and unbiased consumer health information to improve healthcare outcomes
• Click here to access ConsumerReports.

Weiss Financial Ratings

The Financial Ratings Series Online provides immediate access to the Weiss’ Independent and Unbiased Ratings for: Life, Annuity, Property & Casualty Insurers, HMOs & Health Insurers, Banks, Credit Unions, Stocks, Exchange-Traded Funds, Stock Mutual Funds, Bond & Money Market Mutual Funds, Medicare Supplement Insurance Pricing tool, Financial Planning Tools, and Financial Literacy Skill-Building Tools too. Click here to access Weiss Financial Ratings.

Small Business Reference Center

Small Business Reference Center offers exclusive full text for many top consumer small business reference books, as well as tools to address many small business topics. It includes business videos, a help and advice section and details on how to create business plans. Click here to access the Small Business Reference Center.

Legal Information Reference Center

Legal Information Reference Center is an online database designed to assist the general public in legal matters of all kinds. It includes exclusive full text for many top consumer legal reference books, as well as thousands of legal forms. Navigate legal matters of all kinds with reliable “how-to” information and thousands of federal, multi-state and state-specific legal forms.. Click here to access the Legal Information Reference Center.

Black Life in America

The experience and impact of African Americans as recorded by the news media. Click here to access Black Life in America.

EBSCO Host

EBSCO is the leading provider of research databases, e-journals, magazine subscriptions, ebooks and discovery service for academic libraries, public libraries, corporations, schools, government and medical institutions. Click here to access EBSCO Host.

Hispanic Life in America

Comprehensive coverage of the Hispanic American experience from earliest times to today. Sourced from nearly 17,500 American and global newspapers, including almost 450 Hispanic American newspapers. Provides full-text searching as well as access to content by Topic, Event, and Eras in Hispanic American History. Updated daily. Click here to access Hispanic Life in America.

JerseyClicks

JerseyClicks is New Jersey’s statewide portal that features federated searching of the statewide full-text databases offered by the New Jersey State Library, the New Jersey Network, and funds from the Library Services and Technology Act. Click here to access Jersey Clicks.

JSTOR

JSTOR is a digital library for the intellectually curious. To get access log in with the following credentials:

• Username: LindenPL
• Password: Patron07036
• Click here to access JSTOR.

Newark Star Ledger

Get the latest New Jersey news from Newark-based Star-Ledger, NJ’s largest online newspaper. Get business, sports, entertainment news, view videos, photos. Click here to access Newark Star Ledger.

World Book Online

Enjoy Learning: Anytime, Anywhere! Click here to access World Book Online.

Universal Class

Attention students: continue your lifelong pursuit of knowledge with Universal Class. 

• Click here to explore areas of study
• Click here to sign-up for Universal Class.

LearningExpress

Whatever your goal, LearningExpress Library’s resources will help you succeed. Each of our Learning Centers offers the practice tests, exercises, skill-building courses, eBooks, and information you need to achieve the results you want – at school, at work, or in life. Looking to land a job? You’ll find an entire Learning Center dedicated to helping you get the one that’s right for you. Click here to access the LearningExpress Library.

Artfilms Digital

Watch art films online anytime, anywhere.

Masterclasses, documentaries, interviews, content that can entertain, educate and inform: Artfilms streams thousands of videos from top artists and producers. Click here to access Artfilms Digital – Bloomsbury Video Libary.

Brainfuse HelpNow

Introducing Brainfuse HelpNow! Get free online tutoring with your library card. Click here to access Brainfuse HelpNow.

Fiero Code

Fiero Code is a self-paced learn-to-code software for kids ages 8-18 covering Scratch, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python and SQL programming languages. Click here to access Fiero Code.

Mango Languages

Learn real-life conversations with native-speaker audio and cultural context so that you can speak like a local. Also included are ESL classes. Download the mobile app or access from your computer. Click here to access Mango Languages.

Got Resume Builder

Got Resume Builder is a resume building app that provides assisted resume writing, customizable templates, and sample resumes to help you in your job search. The program allows you to create, manage, and share multiple resumes completely free through our library link. Click here to access Got Resume Builder.

Hobbies & Crafts Reference Center

Got a hobby you’d like to nurture? Looking for a new activity to pass the time? Our library provides free access to Hobbies & Crafts Reference Center, a database from EBSCO containing thousands of articles from top hobby and craft magazines and books as well as recipes, “how-to” videos and hobby profiles. Click here to access the Hobbies & Crafts Reference Center.

Home Improvements Reference Center

Home Improvement Reference Center offers full-text content from leading home improvement magazines and reference books, plus a collection of images not found anywhere else online. Patrons can quickly find the information they need by conducting keyword searches or browsing projects by category. Click here to access the Home Improvements Reference Center.

Heritage Hub

Explore your family history with the premier collection of U.S. obituaries and death notices for in-depth genealogical research from 1704 – today. HeritageHub helps you easily identify relatives, uncover new information and potentially unknown family members. Includes deep coverage from all 50 states, hard-to-find content from the mid 1900’s, and original obituary images. Access is available 24/7. Click here to access Heritage Hub.

MyHeritage Library Edition

MyHeritage Library Edition includes billions of historical documents from more than 48 countries, millions of historical photos, public records, indexes and additional resources. Available in 42 languages, MyHeritage Library Edition is the industry’s most multilingual family history research database. Click here to access MyHeritage Library Edition.

Digi Find IT

Instantly borrow digital movies, music, eBooks and more, 24/7 with your library card. Click here to access Digi Find IT.

Freading

Patrons of the Linden Public Library have access to thousands of eBooks from a number of different genres. Search for fiction in the areas of mysteries, thrillers, and suspense. You can also find books on a range of nonfiction subjects including religion, self-improvement, history, and more! Freading is compatible with most major eReading devices. To access the site, click on the image to the right. Click here to access Freading.

AXIS 360

Axis 360 is Baker & Taylor’s digital media circulation platform for libraries. Discover and use the digital media you want on the devices you choose. Click here to access AXIS 360.

Hoopla

Instantly borrow digital movies, music, eBooks and more, 24/7 with your library card. Click here to access Hoopla.

Freegal® Music

Freegal® Music is a free music service from your library. All you need is your library card number and possibly a PIN if your library utilizes them. Freegal® Music offers access to about 15 million songs, including Sony Music’s catalog of legendary artists, and over 40,000 music videos. In total the collection is comprised of music from over 40,000 labels with music that originates in over 100 countries. There is no software to download, and there are no digital rights management (DRM) restrictions. Access to Freegal is limited to patrons of subscribing libraries. Click here to access Freegal® Music.

eLibrary NJ

We are pleased to announce that we have added eBooks to our collection for your reading enjoyment! Downloads are available to your personal PC, laptop, or PDA. The first time you check out materials on this site, instructions will be provided for you to download the software you need. With OverDrive Media Console v3.2, most WMA Audiobooks are iPod & iPad compatible! In just a few clicks, send titles to your Windows-formatted device; the ‘Plays on’ icons at this site indicate compatibility. Click here to access eLibrary NJ.

The Libby App by OverDrive

All you need is a library card to access ebooks, audiobooks and more for free! Read & listen to books with just a tap in our award-winning app! Need a library card? Libby may be able to help! Click here to access Libby.

Meeting rooms are available to be booked by the public up to 45 days in advance. If further dates are needed, please email here for those arrangements.

• Click here to book a meeting room through Skedda Calendar.
• Click here to view and/or download policies and information regarding library meeting rooms.

The Columbia Bank Room

The Columbia Bank Room is our most versatile meeting space. It seats up to 76 people and can be set up with or without tables. There is a screen in front and a projector is available. Access to a kitchen may be available upon request.

The Infineum Room

The Infineum Room contains a conference table which seats up to twelve. There is also an attached kitchen.

The Bernice Bedrick Room

The spacious Bernice Bedrick Room has a round conference table which seats up to 16. Access to a kitchen may be available upon request.

Library Cards

Click here to obtain your library card.

Adults

To obtain your own Linden Library card, you will need the following forms of identification:

1. A valid, current driver’s license or government ID showing a Linden address
2. If you do not possess a current New Jersey driver’s license, you must present two forms of ID, one from each of the following categories:

CHILDREN & YOUNG ADULTS (PRE-SCHOOL – AGE 17)

To obtain a Linden Library card for children and young adults:

1. A parent or legal guardian (with proof of guardianship) must accompany the child in order to sign both the application and the library card, and also be present for renewals every two years. They must also decide whether or not to approve Internet usage.
2. Proof of Linden residency must be presented before the card can be issued.

Materials

 GENERAL

• All materials borrowed by the patron are expected to be returned in the condition in which they were borrowed.
• Media items must be returned with all cover art, booklets, inserts, and/or liner notes they contained when they were borrowed.
• Patrons are responsible for all damaged and lost materials.

LOANS & RENEWALS

• Certain adult media items such as DVDs and Audiobooks can only be checked out to patrons who are 18 years or older.
• Patrons may renew their materials online by heading over to the “My Account” portal.
• Summer reading books and items with holds may not be renewed.

FINES & FEES

MISCELLANEOUS FEES

Summer Reading Books

To ensure that everyone has a chance to access the Summer Reading Collection, the following special rules will apply:

• 14 day loan period during May-Oct; no renewals
• Only 2 Children’s books (Grades 2-5), 1 middle school (Grades 6-8), and 1 High School Book (Grades 9-12) may be checked out on an individual library card at one time.
• No reserves allowed

About Us

Linden Free Public Library serves over 30 towns including Linden, Elizabeth, Clark, Roselle, Plainfield in Union County, New Jersey. The library maintains an organized system for collecting, storing, and circulating materials for library patrons so that they can be retrieved when needed. There are active Friends of the Library groups associated with two branches. There are approximately 16,662 registered resident borrowers, 651 non-resident borrowers, and 91, 846 bibliographic records in the catalog. Annual circulation was 47,118 in 2017. The main library offers free wireless access to the Internet and Internet Terminals for public use.

Our History

The library movement in Linden owes its existence to a small group of citizens and the sponsorship of the Linden Rotary Club. The library operated for six months on a voluntary basis and on January 1, 1928 it became a municipal, tax supported institution. Miss Viola R. Maihl, a professional librarian was one of the first acts of the Board of Trustees to organize the library. In December 1939, the library moved to its present building erected with the aid of a federal grant.

Linden’s community and people have been the main concern of the library’s administration. The potential patrons of are all ages and varied backgrounds. These patrons request a vast connection of books, periodicals, CDs, DVDs, and musicals. During this time, in order to serve patrons best, a system was established consisting of the main library and three branches. During this time, the staff consisted of eight professional librarians, eleven clerical assistants, four librarian trainees and part-time pages. In little more than a quarter of a century the Linden Library has demonstrated its effectiveness in the community and gained the confidence of both the citizenry and governing body. Its growth and expansion is the result of long-term planning and a constant study of the changing needs of the community.

Linden Public Library’s mission is to, “Satisfy the evolving informational, cultural, educational, and recreational needs of the community, by providing the most modern and relevant resources and facilities”.

The new Linden Free Public Library facility located at 31 E. Henry St opened its’ doors in June, 2010.