A new branch is coming to the Jersey City Free Public Library. The Communipaw Branch will be a ground-floor commercial space in the 295 Johnston Avenue condominium building in the Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood. It will focus on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) and be the heart of innovation in the JCFPL system, initiating STEAM programs that can then be shared with the other branches.

The space will contain a community room with multipurpose space seating up to 50, with a full audiovisual system; a studio; a maker space with fab-lab tools; and a recording studio. 

People of all ages can go the Communipaw Branch to check out electronic such as laptops and tablets and create wireless hotspots. Whether they want to try out assistive devices to accommodate a disability, learn to code, brush up on STEAM skills for a career change, or learn computer basics in a nonjudgmental space, this is a branch where they will be welcome.

According to JCFPL, the new Communipaw Branch reflects the system’s commitment to providing resources the community needs to develop digital literacy, media literacy and technological skills. It will be considered a “sister” to the Lafayette Branch, and the two will likely collaborate on various programs.

The Communipaw Branch is expected to open this fall. It will be located a few blocks from the Liberty State Park light rail stop and a Citi Bike station. It will also be served by bus lines 1, 6 and 81.

For more information, visit JCLibrary.org.