The Emerson Public Library was founded by a small group of dedicated residents in 1957 as a private Library, charging one dollar per year dues. The size of the collection on opening day, November 1, 1958, was only 5,000 books. Initially, the Library was open ten hours a week and contributed to the quality of life for residents by hosting an annual art show, author talks and a yearly dinner dance.

In 1962, the Library joined the Mid Bergen Federation of Public Libraries. This allowed residents to borrow books as well as framed paintings, sculpture replicas, and record players from nearby towns. Within the Federation, Emerson became known for its American Art books.

In 1963, the Emerson Public Library became a true public library when the founding Library Association handed over responsibility of funding the Library to the Borough. Those founding members immediately formed a Friends of the Library Association. Nineteen sixty three brought another landmark achievement in the form of the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award, which recognized Emerson as one of the “Ten Best Small Public Libraries” in the country. However, throughout this period, the Library was still operating out of its cramped quarters in the Field House, and in 1974, a new  facility was completed. This is the building that houses the Library today.

Further expansions of service could now proceed, and Emerson joined the Bergen County Cooperative Library System in 1979. This enabled patrons to access the catalogs of all BCCLS member libraries.