About
Proudly serving the largest county in New Jersey, the Burlington County Library System is a vibrant network of libraries sharing a vast array of resources. Our library locations are conveniently located throughout the service area and our Mobile Library brings resources directly to cardholding residents.
BCLS Commission
Appointed by the Burlington County Board of Commissioners, the Library Commission is the governing body of the Burlington County Library System. The Board consists of five (5) Commissioners who each serve a term of five (5) years. The Commission is responsible for determining policies and overseeing the budget of the library system.
BCLS Overview
The mission of the Burlington County Library System is to enrich lives by providing opportunities for learning, growth and personal development.
Our 70,000-square foot main library in Westampton features a children’s area, teen zone, meeting space, 250-seat auditorium, drive-up window and café. Additional locations are located in Beverly, Bordentown, Burlington City, Cinnaminson, Crosswicks, Delanco, Evesham, Florence, Maple Shade, Medford, Riverside, Pemberton, Riverton and Vincentown. Our Mobile Library travels to a number of locations around the county and Rowan College at Burlington County is our academic partner library.
BCLS cardholders have access to more than one million items, including books, magazines, DVDs and CDs. Year-round programming as well as free WiFi, computers and mobile printing services are available. Online resources include ebooks, audiobooks, streaming entertainment and a vast array of online resources and learning tools.
BCLS History
Celebrating a century of service, Burlington County Library has the proud distinction of being the first county library in New Jersey. It began operating out of a small room of the Mount Holly YMCA in 1921 following overwhelming support by voter referendum. The library’s first bookmobile, a modified Ford car with a truck chassis, made its debut that same year. Library affairs were managed by an appointed, five-member commission, the form of government continues to this day.
During the early years, the rise in popularity of library services drove the demand for more space and the operation relocated within Mount Holly several times, occupying roomier, more functional quarters each time. Fifty years after the first book was borrowed, the library relocated once again, this time welcoming residents to a brand new, expansive building in Westampton. The bustling library that was enlarged in 1992 and again in 2013 serves as our flagship facility. To meet the demands of a ballooning population, seven branches were added over the years: Cinnaminson (1966), Bordentown (1971), Pinelands (1972), Evesham (1975), Pemberton (1987), Maple Shade (2001) and Riverton (2003). We are pleased to note that all our libraries have been renovated and improved to keep up with the changing times and advances in technology, and our once humble book truck has evolved into the sleek, mobile library that continues to bring resources directly to residents.