College Libraries
Main Campus Martin Luther King Library
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Library is located in the A. Zachary Yamba Building on the main campus in Newark. It maintains a collection of Print and non-print items such as but not limited to CDs, DVDs, videocassettes, and other media as well as access to more than 10,000 periodicals titles via on line databases. Holdings are accessed via the online public-access catalog (OPAC) which is available locally and remotely. Collections are designed to meet the academic, informational, cultural, and recreational needs of students and the community. The many services include open stacks, a reserve collection, interlibrary loans, photocopier machines, audiovisual hardware for individual use, wireless Internet access, and small group study rooms. There are also professional librarians and technical assistants to assist all patrons.
On April 24, 2024, a newly renovated MLK was dedicated with a Grand Reopening Ceremony, attended by a representation of College Administrators, Faculty & Staff, as well Essex County Officials and Community Organizations personnel.
The Library is a member of the Reciprocal Borrowing Libraries of Essex County (ReBL) and the Virtual Academic Library Environment (VALE). The King Library hosts the student-centered technology-rich Information Commons on its upper level at the Main Campus. In the Commons, students, faculty and staff have access to multi-use, state-of-the-art facility which includes: 141 computer stations providing integrated access to multimedia and electronic resources; heavy-duty printers; 7 collaborative classrooms with SMART technology; one teaching lab equipped with computer stations for bibliographic instruction; and wireless network connection throughout.
West Essex Branch Campus Library
The West Essex Branch Campus Library is an essential academic support hub for students, faculty, and staff. It offers access to a curated collection of print and digital resources, including textbooks, scholarly journals, and research databases. The Library provides quiet study areas, and assistance from dedicated staff for research and citation support. Its mission is to foster student success and lifelong learning in a welcoming, accessible environment that reflects the needs of the local campus community. The Library also supports circulation, inter-campus borrowing, library orientations and access to media or purchasing of text as requested by faculty or Chairpersons of the College’s Academic Divisions.
The Branch Campus Library is connected to a second Level Information Commons, that provides access to twenty four computers for assistance with homework, research, bibliography references. It is a dynamic, collaborative space within the library designed to support students’ academic and creative pursuits through access to technology, information resources, and expert assistance. Blending traditional library services with modern digital tools, the Commons serves as a hub where students can research, write, design, and collaborate in a flexible, tech-enhanced environment.
Equipped with computer workstations and access to online databases and software, the Information Commons empowers users to engage deeply with their coursework and projects. Knowledgeable staff, including librarians and IT support personnel, are available upon request to provide one-on-one help with everything from research strategies and citation formatting.
Whether working independently or as part of a team, students benefit from a space that encourages innovation, problem-solving, and academic success. The Information Commons bridges the gap between information access and application, preparing students with the skills they need in today’s digital learning landscape.
