About the Library

Our History

The Burlington County Library was established in 1921 as the first county library system in New Jersey. It was the vision of three county teachers who saw the need for a library “system” to connect the geographically dispersed communities and towns in New Jersey’s largest county. At this early stage, the system had stations in individual homes and firehouses, book rooms in schools and book trucks traveling to rural communities. The vision of a networked set of libraries in settings as varied as the communities they served continues to be realized by BCLS today.

BCLS Now

The Burlington County Library System serves the population of Burlington County, New Jersey. Our 15 locations serve an estimated population of 450,000 with a diverse suburban and rural composition. As a public library we are open to all but provide access to collections and resources to members of tax-paying communities. Of the 40 municipalities in Burlington County, 37 fund the county library system.

BCLS offers access to print and digital collections, community-based programs and research services at eight branches and seven member libraries around the county. In addition, our Mobile Library, visits community stops, schools and senior residential facilities reaching every corner of our county. Some of our unique services include a mail service that delivers books and DVDs to residents via the postal service, a Museum Pass Program that provides free admission to dozens of local and regional museums and a digital library that connects residents to premium research resources and various streaming services like Kanopy.

As a thriving public library system that serves an active and growing community, we invite all members of the community to use their library. Our county facility offers programs and events in a 250-seat auditorium hosting innovative arts and cultural programs with concerts, plays and other performances reflecting the rich talent from across the mid-Atlantic region. Our meeting rooms and study spaces offer the community a place to attend programs or host their own meetings and programs. Each year we host nearly 4,000 events and programs, enriching the lives of our residents and library visitors with engaging speakers that enlighten and workshops that building and supporting reading-based and digital literacies.