About

Vision

In serving the entire Newark community, the Newark Public Library will be a national model of innovation, collaboration, and service excellence.

Mission

The Newark Public Library transforms lives and strengthens communities through innovative services, stimulating programs, and inspiring collections.

About the
Library

Newark Public Library delivers essential services and resources to everyone seeking opportunities to build a better life.

Our dedicated staff bring decades of experience to serving all Newarkers. Their willingness to engage with the community ensures our residents have a voice and that our services and resources are crafted to meet their needs. Their creativity and innovation are phenomenal, and their openness and willingness to experiment allows us to move forward with new programs, events, and activities.

Facing Washington Park, the historic Newark Public Library traces its beginnings to the Newark Library Association, which was formed in 1847. Forty years later, the people of Newark approved the founding of a Free Public Library. Learn More about the Library’s architecture and history.

Our
Values

Commitment
We pledge to set a distinctive standard of excellence in all services for our library’s users, for the City of Newark, and for our staff.

Community
We engage with residents to co-create a happy, productive Newark. We make the library an active, integral community citizen.

Cooperation
We use our different strengths to work together and with partners throughout the city to achieve our mission and to encourage curiosity in Library users.

Enrichment
We shape and transform lives through our programs, services, and collections to fulfill the expectations and dreams of all who use Library resources.

Expression
We provide a safe space, where all individuals are free to be themselves.

Inclusion
We welcome people of all ages, abilities, beliefs, classes, colors, ethnicities, genders, gender preferences, and shapes into these libraries. Libraries are for everyone. Everyone belongs here.

Innovation
We invite and encourage change as Newark communities’ needs evolve.

Leadership
We are a hub of the community. We use our skills and resources to help all Newarkers.

Board of
Trustees

Dr. Lauren Wells, President
Mr. Domingo Morel, Vice President
Dr. Rosemary Steinbaum, Secretary
Dr. Timothy J. Crist, Treasurer
Ms. Antoinette Richardson (Alternate for Ras J. Baraka, Mayor of Newark)
Ms. Nicole Johnson (Alternate for Roger León, Superintendent of Newark Public Schools)
Mr. Miguel Rodriguez
Dr. Anasa Maat
Mr. Hassan Abdus-Sabur

Learn More

Library
Director

Contact

Director for the Newark Public Library, Christian Zabriskie

(973) 733-7780 or
(973) 733-7758
director@npl.org

Leadership

Assistant Director, Development Kirsten Giardi (973) 424-1832 kgiardi@npl.org	Interim Director Ingrid Betancourt (973) 733-7758 ibetancourt@npl.org	Assistant Director for Capital Planning George Wheatle Williams (973) 733-5697 or 7793 gwilliams@npl.org	Head of Security Jacqueline Jones (973) 733-4389 or 4389 jjones@npl.org
Assistant Director for Human Resources Leslie Colson (973) 733-7740 lcolson@npl.org	Assistant Director for Finance Scharron Little (973) 733-4842 rjefferson@npl.org	Assistant Director for Public Services Anna Coats (973) 733-7837 acoats@npl.org	Building Superintendent Zuhare Meri (973) 733-3611 zmeri@npl.org