Jersey City Free Public Library Partners With Jersey City Police Department for ‘Books & Badges’ Reading and Discussion Series

Jersey City Free Public Library Partners With Police Department for ‘Books & Badges’ Reading and Discussion Series

JERSEY CITY, October 15, 2026: The Jersey City Free Public Library (JCFPL), in collaboration with the Jersey City Police Department, has launched “Books & Badges,” a four-part community reading and discussion series aimed at strengthening trust, communication and relationships between residents and law enforcement.

The initiative brings together Jersey City residents, teenagers aged 15 and older, library staff and police officers for discussions centred on leadership, trust, identity, public service, belonging and community engagement.

According to the library’s September 17 announcement, the programme is designed to create a respectful environment where residents and police officers can exchange perspectives, discuss community concerns and develop a better understanding of one another.

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The discussions are being facilitated by Lt. C.M. Congleton of the Jersey City Police Department and Tony Williams, Manager of Social Services at the Jersey City Free Public Library.

Lt. Collin Congleton, who developed the programme, said the initiative would provide opportunities for meaningful conversations between law enforcement and the community, including discussions on difficult issues.

“We may have some difficult conversations, and that’s OK. In some cases, they’re long overdue,” Congleton said.

Jersey City Mayor James Solomon emphasised that building safer communities requires cooperation between residents and law enforcement.

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“Building a safer community takes more than policing alone. Our residents are among our most important public safety partners, but that depends on the level of trust and strong relationships established between the community and our police officers,” Solomon said.

Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose also highlighted the importance of communication, mutual respect and listening to different perspectives in strengthening police-community relationships.

“Strong relationships between police officers and the communities they serve are built through open communication, mutual respect, and a willingness to listen,” Ambrose said.

The four-part series began on September 23 at Miller Branch Library, with subsequent sessions scheduled across the Jersey City Free Public Library system.

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The remaining sessions are scheduled for October 28 at Earl A. Morgan Branch from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., November 17 at Communipaw Branch from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., and December 17 at Priscilla Gardner Main Library from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The library has also prepared a recommended reading list covering policing, leadership, communication, institutional change and community engagement.

Among the recommended titles are The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, Dare to Lead by Brené Brown, Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman, How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie, and Start With Why by Simon Sinek.

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Tony Williams said the programme was developed around the belief that literature could provide a starting point for conversations that might otherwise be difficult.

“The idea for Books & Badges grew from a simple belief: books can give us a meaningful place to begin conversations that might otherwise feel difficult to have,” Williams said.

He added that the initiative aims to bring residents and police officers together outside challenging circumstances, allowing them to listen, reflect and learn from one another.

Through the programme, the Jersey City Free Public Library and the Jersey City Police Department aim to promote mutual understanding, strengthen community relationships and encourage constructive dialogue between residents and law enforcement.