I came to this library for the first time in a Tuesday to study, the staff was friendly and very…read morehelpful and my first experience was fabulous, it was so peaceful and quiet, I got a lot of studying done. I decided to come again today (Saturday) and it's a totally different experience. I cannot study in this place due to all of the chit-chatting that's going on. This is not just patrons, but staff as well. I might as well have stayed home and endured the distractions there. Long gone are the days when the librarian would tell people to keep it down. This is totally ridiculous, and I'm extremely annoyed.

Love this library. Great place to study during the day or afternoon, and it is filled with awesome…read moretitles and things to keep your mind occupied. I'm interested in the adult book group and in studying here for my current professional cert class online. The system also offers Udemy and Linkedin courses which seem really fun and useful!.

Bland new library in Union, NJ. We had some small library around area, but now we have big library…read morein the center of town, next to city hall. There is big parking in the back. Small one in front. Library is in new building shared with art theatre. Nice welcome addition to Union, NJ just opened in 6/2025.

I've been looking forward to the opening of our new library for over a year, and unfortunately, my…read morefirst visit was disappointing. I really wanted to love this space and make it a regular stop for my kids and me, but our experience left me feeling unwelcome. When I arrived, I wasn't greeted at all. The staff at the front desk were engaged in a personal conversation and didn't acknowledge me for several minutes, even though I was standing in line clearly waiting for assistance... I had a few questions and just needed some direction, but felt overlooked and ignored from the moment I walked in. Later during our visit, we were in the soft foam children's reading area. I removed my Crocs so I could sit comfortably on the foam blocks and read with my toddlers, assuming that shoes weren't meant to be worn in that particular area on the mats to keep it clean and safe for kids. A staff member by the name of Emily Head of youth services) asked me quite abruptly to put my shoes back on. I politely explained that we were sitting in the foam block area and that's why my shoes were off, but she responded with , "Well, that's very unsavory," and laughed. (Not in a friendly way) in front of others. It was embarrassing and completely unnecessary, especially since we weren't causing any disruption and were quietly reading together. After that exchange, I no longer felt comfortable in the space and decided to leave. We had walked 30 minutes in the heat to get there, excited to enjoy the new facility, but instead left feeling disappointed and dismissed. I truly hope the library staff can work on being more welcoming, especially to families and caregivers who just want a safe and calm space for their children to enjoy books. First impressions matters and unfortunately, this one missed the mark.

"Library" My definition: The stupid place where intelligence is stored. I started by trying to…read moredownload a book that was recommended to me by a mentor. The book exists in the Somerset County library system but they only have bound copies. Books? Isn't this 2018 when you just download it to your tablet? Why do we even need these stupid buildings in every town in the county that we pay for and receive no tax money from? I went to the main library branch in Bridgewater. Their copy is out and so is the copy from the Manville branch. It appears that a copy is available in Warren. I travel to Warren and get the number of the book. A very nice librarian with a very loud voice(for a library) directs me the book's location. I bring the book to the desk and then she needs to make a call while checking the book out. She is then tasked with the unpleasant duty of telling me that this copy can not leave the building. Of course I ask what makes this book unable to be borrowed when the others are being borrowed. No reasonable answer, it just can't leave. The librarian offers to have me called when one comes back to either Bridgewater or Manville. I thanked her but said don't bother, I can get it from Amazon for $15.00. As far as libraries go, it is clean, orderly and comfortable. The service was great but the fact that they buy hard copies of books and don't lend them, Stupid! I am convinced that library's just exist so the homeless can escape bad weather and high school students can escape their siblings.

The coolest place in town! NOT just for this suburban mom and small biz owner but for teens…read more(YES!!) and kids and the Mahjong players and.... the list goes on and on. Not only can they get you any book in print thru the vastly superior intra-library lending system in Somerset County, but they have stacks of dvds, classical music cds, audio books, magazines, the works!! AND, they're fun, kind, amusing people who seem to love what they do and the warm, friendly environment they've created here. I had no idea libraries could be like this. It's a new world!!

I come here with my kids at least once a month. They love it. The children's section downstairs is…read moreamazing, with toys and books and activities for all ages. I've never been to any of their programs, but I do see lots of people using their services. Having automatic renewals, no late fees, and no extra costs for renting media such as games, make this library branch my all-time favorite. Holds are always done very quickly, And I can always find something to read on their online book catalog. Staff have always been super friendly and helpful, although parking situation could be better. This isn't even my local library, but I come to the bound brook branch all the time.

This Library has always been my favorite destination when it comes to choosing a branch. It is…read morealways organized and clean and has a good selection of programs to the public, but lately it seems that the noise has taken over and for those of us who go to study it is likely impossible for those who need to concentrate and the librarians do not seem to mind that a lot.. Just this last week I had to clean gum that was on top of one of the tables around the "Quiet Area". It is very difficult to say but I think I will not be returning for a while until, as in other libraries, people are reminded that there are quiet spaces that must be respected. It is really not my intention nor my responsibility to tell the young kids to behave themselves when it should be part of the library personnel.

The Cranford Public Library has, by far, the most eclectic and interesting collection of blues,…read morerock, folk, country, and popular music CD's I have found in any of the dozen-or-so local community libraries that I have checked out in this part of NJ. It participates in the MURAL program, so residents of 40 different neighboring communities can register here for free borrowing privileges. Non-Cranford residents can borrow six CD's at a time for up to 2 weeks each. They also have a decent DVD collection, and, unlike other area libararies who charge a fee, DVD borrowing here is free. Their CD collection includes some real gems, by great, obscure artists, including Blind Willie Johnson, Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys, Little Willie John, The Mississippi Sheiks, Rev. Gary Davis, and Tim Hardin. Also, rather than just a smattering of random albums by more well-known acts, you will find relatively comprehensive catalogs by Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, the Beatles, the Stones, The Band, Dylan, Springsteen, Van Morrison, Elton John, Tom Petty, Zeppelin, Santana, Talking Heads, Elvis Costello, etc, etc. Besides my own musical likes, they also have plenty of jazz, opera, classical, and international music CD's. The library also runs many events and programs including a film series, free live concerts, educational seminars, and several book sales each year.

When I was a little boy, and my grandparents lived in Cranford at that time, they would take me…read morehere just to read and borrow some books. My dad did the same thing too, and this was the first library that I've ever been to in my life. Now let's move on to the present. Recently, my dad and I came here to check out the book sale. For this, we had to go to the Book Cellar, which was in a separate entrance on the side of the building. There, we saw a lot of old books that were for sale at really cheap prices. Usually, we end up buying something here, but in the end, we bought nothing. Another reason why we came here was to pick up some tax forms. The other libraries in my area ran out of them, and we were told that we had to print them online. Tax season is stressful enough (unless you're getting a refund), but we don't need to add to the stress by printing online with our own, expensive ink and paper. Thankfully, this library had a lot of tax forms in stock. So we grabbed what was necessary for the submission of our tax returns. In order to get to the book cellar, you have to utilize the separate entrance in order to go down stairs. If you want to go into the main library from there, you have to exit the building and head to the front of the building to enter. Unfortunately, there's no way to enter the main building without going outside. But, if you want to buy a good old book, or borrow a new one, or pick up some tax forms, then you have to do what must be done. Overall, I'm a fan.

An amazing community library in the heart of downtown Chatham. The great things about this library…read moreor that they have various events for children as well as adults. In addition they have a great library of DVDs that you can take out and even have a current releases which can be rented for one dollar for overnight. The staff is wonderful and the library is an inviting area with free Wi-Fi

It's great for kids program! I like the staff both adult and kids section except the person named…read more"Nolan" in the kids section (blond hair lady who works at kids section during the weekday). She shouldn't be at the kids section since she isn't friendly and yelled at the kids all the time or she doesn't understand the kids. She should move from this kids section to other dept.

1st time at this library.....If you want to be attacked by the director yelling at you while on a…read morework call fell free to go to this public library

Love our hometown library! Striving to continue to make improvements to meet our community's needs!read more

I went into the library to get some help finding a couple of books. The woman I spoke with…read morebasically wasn't helpful! Then I couldn't find what I was looking for, so I went back to the woman, she sent me to another woman that Was very helpful. I'm very disappointed in the lack of willingness to help me or welcome me into the library.

Super duper small thus obviously it can't compete for use with other branches but what it can do is…read moreprovide community services such as a great reading space, kids programming, reference an education for how to use a library, and for administering the lending relationships with other libraries.