History

About the Library
The Irvington Public Library has served the community since 1915. The 33,000 square foot building it now occupies was completed in 1968. It is located on Civic Square opposite Irvington High School and close to the Springfield Avenue shopping district. The building is accessible to handicapped people.

Collection
The Library has more than 180,000 books and 150 periodical titles. The non-print collection includes books on tape, electronic books, and DVDs .In 1998 the Library migrated to an automated catalog and circulation system, which has since been upgraded. The Library shares this system, called Clavis, with the Newark Public Library. Newark Public Library and Irvington Public Library honor one another's library cards, so Irvington Public Library members may borrow from Newark libraries and vice versa.

Internet Services
The Library has 46 computers for public Internet access. 16 are in the Internet section in the Mezzanine, 8 in the Children's Library, twelve in the Technology Training Lab . Introductory Internet classes (as well as classes in e-mail, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Introduction to Social media ) are held weekly and are free of charge. Those interested in participating are asked to sign up at the reference desk 15-30 minutes before the start of the class.

The Library is a "hot spot" for wireless Internet for those who have a laptop and there are several power sources located throughout the main reading room.

Programs
The Library offers a variety of free programs. Children's activities include story hour, a summer reading program, Halloween and Christmas parties, arts and crafts, bingo, and occasional special programs. There is also an annual "Read-Out", and Reading Festival where parents and local officials read to an audience of children and adults. Programs for adults include the aforementioned computer classes, a monthly poetry night, author presentations, an annual art fair, Black History Month programs, and special public affairs presentations.