Established in 1885, the Paterson Free Public Library is New Jersey's oldest public library.  The first library was located at 54 Church Street, the second at Market and Hamilton (where the Alexander Hamilton Hotel now stands).  The present site was chosen after the Great Fire of 1902 destroyed the library on Church and Hamilton.  Funds for the present building were donated by Mary Ryle, daughter of Charles Danforth, one of Paterson's leading industrialists.  Designed by Henry Bacon (who designed the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.) the present library, the Danforth Memorial, was opened in 1905. 

    Seven branch libraries were gradually added to the library system during the first part of the 20th Century so there was one branch in each ward. 

    In 1995 the Library system was consolidated in order to prepare for automation. The number of branches was reduced from seven to three. The remaining branches are: First Ward, Totowa, and Southside. 

    Many changes have taken place over the years in the Main Library.  The Community Learning Center was started in 1986. The Library has strengthened its African-American and Spanish language collections. An Arabic/Islamic collection has been established at the Southside branch through a New Jersey State Library special collections grant.  A Filipino collection, a gift of the Philippine ambassador to the United States, has been established at 250 Broadway.

    In March of 2003 the library installed 35 computers received from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.  These computers offer internet access and word processing/publishing software for our patrons.

    Plans for the future include  further development of the Career Information Center, continuation of our role as a source for the Non-Profit Resource Connection and the continued expansion of the Community Learning Center.

November, 2004/ mpw