To get a library card, Berkeley Heights residents need to provide proof of residence in person. Examples of proof of residence are a current driver’s license, current utility bills, or a bank statement with your Berkeley Heights address printed on them. If your proof of residence is something other than your driver’s license, you will need to provide photo ID along with the proof of residence. You will also need to provide a phone number and an (optional) email address.
To renew your card, provide proof of residence (see above) and verify your phone number and email.
If you are not a permanent resident of Berkeley Heights, view the library card policy to see which types of library cards may be available. BHPL has reciprocal borrowing agreements with many libraries in surrounding towns. Bring your home library card and photo ID to the library. If you work in Berkeley Heights and your home library does not have reciprocal borrowing privileges with BHPL, provide photo ID and proof of employment such as a pay stub or a letter from the employer. You will also need to provide a phone number and an (optional) email address.
To renew your card, follow the steps above and verify your phone number and email.
Questions? Email circulation@bhplnj.org or call the Circulation Department at (908) 608-8603 x1.
Only Berkeley Heights residents with library cards can place holds. There is a limit of 25 holds per card. You can do it yourself online:
Go to BHPL’s catalog at https://catalog.bhplnj.org/. Search for the book, DVD, audiobook, etc. you would like to check out. The title you want will appear in the search results, if BHPL owns it and you have typed in the title or author correctly.
Click on the “Place Hold” button.
You will be prompted to fill in your library card barcode number (enter the entire number with no spaces) and PIN (usually the last 4 digits of your phone number) if you are not already logged in.
Click the “Submit Hold” button.
No, there is no mobile app for either the library’s website or the library’s online catalog. You can create a shortcut on your device’s home screen using these directions.
See the Apps page for apps you can use with your BHPL card to download books, audiobooks, magazines, comics; stream music, movies and tv; and use for language learning and research.
Printed Materials
Adult Fiction – 28 days
New adult fiction under 400 pages – 7 days
New adult fiction over 400 pages – 14 days
Adult Nonfiction – 28 days
New adult nonfiction with a waiting list – 14 days
Travel guidebooks – 14 days
Magazines – 7 days
Children’s books and Vox books – 28 days
Other Materials
Museum Passes – 3 days
Library of Things – 7 days
Wifi Hotspots – 14 days
CDs (audiobooks & music) – 28 days
DVDs – 7 days
Non-Fiction DVDs & TV series DVDs – 14 days
Foreign Language learning CDs and DVDs – 28 days
You may check out up to 99 items, of any type (books, DVDs, audiobooks, music CDs).
Library of Things items: limit of 1 per adult with a BHPL card, excluding Toniebox (1 Toniebox audio player may be borrowed with up to 4 Toniebox characters at a time) . One WiFi hotspot can be borrowed in addition to one Library of Things items.
Museum Passes: limit of 2 per family (with an adult BHPL card) at one time.
VOX books: limit of 2 per library card at a time.
Please return Wifi hotspots, Library of Things items, Museum Passes and VOX books in person during open hours and not in the outside book drop.
During the summer, Central Middle School & Governor Livingston High School Summer Reading Assignment books have a checkout limit of 2 per card and no renewals are allowed.
Berkeley Heights residents who have forgotten to bring their library cards can show photo ID in order to check out. If you have lost your BHPL card, report the lost card in person, by emailing circulation@bhplnj.org or calling the library. Check at the Circulation Desk for lost cards or to replace your card if it’s lost permanently.
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Out-of-town borrowers must present their home library cards at the time of check out.
BHPL has reciprocal borrowing agreements with libraries in surrounding towns: MUF (Morris-Union Federation) and MURAL (Middlesex Union Reciprocal Agreement). See the MUF/Mural Libraries page for more information and the list of participating libraries.
BHPL offers free WiFi for patrons who wish to use their own laptops, iPads/tablets or smartphones while at the library.
The library has public computers which can be used for browsing the internet, web-based email, accessing BHPL’s online resources , e.g. Ancestry, Microsoft Office suite and Black & White or Color printing. Wireless/remote printing to BHPL’s printer is also available.
The library has a flatbed scanner which is attached to a public internet computer.
The library has a photocopier which can make Black & White or Color copies in either letter (8 & 1/2 by 11) or legal (8 & 1/2 by 14) size.
See the In-House Technology page for more information.
Story times and children’s programs are posted on the Story Times & Youth Programs page and the library’s Events Calendar.
In-person appointments with the Reference Librarian are available for assistance using the library’s online databases, eBook & eAudiobook resources, public computers or scanner. Please call the Reference desk at (908) 608-8603, x3 or email reference@bhplnj.org.
The list of holiday closures can be found on the Holiday Closings section of the About Us page.
The library’s current open hours are listed on the Hours of Operation sidebar of the the library’s home page (scroll down on a mobile device). For the complete list of hours throughout the year, see the Hours section of the About Us page.
See the Directions page for detailed directions to the library, located on the 2nd floor of the Municipal Complex at 29 Park Avenue.
See the Volunteer page for more information on BHPL’s volunteer opportunities for teens and adults.