30 CLINTON ROAD                                                          LIBRARY HOURS:

WEST CALDWELL, NJ 07006                                          MONDAY, TUESDAY, THURSDAY 9-9

PHONE: 973-226-5441                                                      WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY:   10-6

FAX: 973-228-7572                                                            SATURDAY: 9-5

http://westcaldwell.bccls.org                                                  SATURDAY (Summer): 9-1

PRINT COLLECTION

There are many resources available in our collection to assist you in your research, topics represented in the collection include: Beginner’s Genealogy, Biographical Directories, Bibliographies, Census Records, Church Records, Family Records, Historical Societies, Immigration, Legal Records, Maps and Gazetteers,  Military Records and Vital Records.  The print collection is a non-circulating collection of over 700 cataloged volumes of historical works. These books are cataloged by author, title and subject and can be searched for via the West Caldwell Public Library’s online catalog. Currently the collection is divided into two subjects; Local History and Genealogy. The Local History materials comprise approximately 80% of the collection. Local History materials focus on the history of West Essex County, Essex County and in a more limited manner, the state of New Jersey. The Genealogy collection comprises approximately 20% of the collection. These materials are aimed at users in the initial stages of family history research. The collection, consisting of books and periodicals, has primarily been developed through donations. The library purchases basic how-to resources, standard reference items and indices, handbooks on family research for various ethnic groups and the published genealogies of important local figures if available.

The Progress is kept on microfilm dating from 1882-2004. The Library also provides online access to the Record, New York Times and the Star-Ledger via the InfoTrac and Proquest Databases. These Databases can be accessed at the library or from home with a valid BCCLS or West Caldwell Library Card.

There is also a small collection of maps and gazetteers consisting of Geological surveys of New Jersey, historical maps of North America as well as items pertaining to the England and Ireland. 

 VERTICAL FILE COLLECTION

The vertical files contain brochures, pamphlets, newsletters, and other printed material pertaining to Northern New Jersey people, organizations, places, history, and events. Files on a county, for example, typically include brochures pertaining to natural or historic sites, cultural events, and local businesses. Subject headings will be added as deemed necessary by library staff.  West Caldwell Public Library will make an effort to update these files periodically. Access to these files may be requested at the Reference Desk.