PRINCETON NJ Announcement

New Hours @Princeton Public Library

The Board of Trustees of the Princeton Public Library has approved a budget that includes changes to library hours and modified access to on-demand streaming services. The principal change will be a one-hour daily reduction in library hours beginning Jan. 12.

“The library’s 2026 budget required finding cost savings that would have the least impact on service,” said Executive Director Jennifer Podolsky. “While our operating hours and streaming services will be changing, our role as a valued community resource remains the same.”

Beginning Jan. 12, the library will close at 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and at 5 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Welcome Desk will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. 

Princeton Public Library will also join other major libraries in eliminating the Kanopy on-demand video streaming service and will restrict Hoopla checkouts to three per patron per month, effective Feb. 1. Hoopla allows patrons to stream audiobooks, music, video and e-books at no charge to the user. The library will eliminate fees for DVD and video game rentals to ameliorate the impact of new limits on streaming services.

These adjustments were necessary to address a 2026 budget deficit resulting from significant increases in fixed costs, including a 36.5% increase in State-mandated staff insurance premiums. In addition, the effects of soaring costs for building maintenance and utilities and rising usage fees for the library’s digital platforms have been exacerbated by steady growth in visitor traffic. 

“Protecting the library’s long-term financial health is critical to ensuring it can remain an accessible, inclusive center for learning and cultural enrichment for all members of our community,” said Board of Trustees President Christopher Van Buren. “Princeton Public Library is a vital community asset, and preserving its ability to deliver outstanding service and world-class programming was a paramount consideration in the budget process.”

The final library budget is subject to approval of the municipal budget by the Princeton Town Council this spring.

Princeton Public Library

Sands Library Building

65 Witherspoon Street

Princeton, NJ  08542

(609) 924-9529

www.princetonlibrary.org