Meet the New Jersey State Library

“I didn’t know you offered that,” is a common reaction from patrons who hear about the programs and services offered by the NJ State Library.

We are committed to providing top quality information services to state employees, Thomas Edison State University (TESU) students and staff, and members of the public.  Highlighted below are some of the State Library’s most popular resources, just in time for the New Year!

Get a Library Card

A New Jersey State Library card gives all users the ability to access our public computers and check out materials from circulating collections.  Users may also access the library catalog and place holds or renew library materials from home.  State employees may request that holds are delivered to their offices.  State employees and Thomas Edison State University staff and students may also use their library cards to access electronic databases remotely and use the eBook collection.  The NJSL Library Card is free for state employees, TESU students and staff, and New Jersey residents.  Please see our Library Card policy page for more information.

Borrow Materials

From other libraries via ILLiad.  Need a copy of an article or book that is not in the State Library’s collection?  State employees, TESU staff and TESU students may use ILLiad, the State Library’s interlibrary loan system to request these materials.

Conduct research using electronic databases

The State Library has over 200 research databases available for use, covering a variety of topics, including law, health, science, medicine, government, and business.  Anyone may come to the State Library to access these resources on our public computers.  State employees and TESU staff and students may access certain resources remotely with their library cards.  Not sure which database to search?  Utilize the Start Your Research box on the library’s home page.

New Jersey residents and students also have access to JerseyClicks, a series of academic databases accessible remotely with your local public library card. 

Prepare for a New Jersey Civil Service exam with our test books

The State Library maintains a collection of over 1200 National Learning Corporation exam prep guides.  While the test books are not specific to New Jersey Civil Service titles, they are an excellent tool to help prepare for many exams issued by the Civil Service Commission.

Many Test Books are also now available in eBook format via eLibraryNJ.   You may access eBooks from eLibraryNJ either from your desktop or on your mobile device using the Libby app.

Enjoy reading eBooks on your phone or computer

State employees and TESU staff may borrow eBooks and audiobooks through a variety of services, including eLibraryNJ and EBSCO eBooks.  Over 13,000 popular fiction and non-fiction titles are available via eLibraryNJ and over 15,000 non-fiction titles are available via EBSCO eBooks.  See our eBooks and Audiobooks page for a complete listing of services.

Learn something new with free webinars

The State Library offers webinar programming on a variety of subjects through our NJSL Presents and Author Talk series.   These programs are free and open to anyone.

Keep up with the latest scheduled events via the Upcoming Events calendar on the Library’s homepage.  Most presentations are recorded and posted to the State Library’s YouTube Channel.

Do you have a reference or research question?

The Reference Department and Law Library are happy to help in person or remotely!  Please contact us to help with your question, or to learn more about the State Library’s collections and resources.  We look forward to hearing from you!