The Prom Dress Collection is where all branches of the Ocean County Library collect gently used and cleaned prom dresses for students in grades 8th-12th. Dresses can be short or long styles, but ideally modern. Please do not submit any wedding dresses. Please do not submit any dresses with rips, tears, or stains. Dresses will be collected from January 2nd to February 26th only in anticipation of the Giveaways.

The Prom Dress Giveaway is an annual event that takes place at roughly three different branches in the library system. The giveaways are from 4PM-8PM in the host branch meeting room, which will be set up like a boutique. Students in grades 8th-12th can come in, find a dress in their size and try it on in our homemade fitting rooms. Dresses will be organized by size and color. Once a student finds a dress, they are free to take it home to wear at their prom or other dance event.

Students in grades 8th through 12th can attend the Giveaways and take home a dress.

Of course! Parents, caregivers, and siblings are allowed to join the event. However, only students in grades 8th-12th should try on dresses and take them home.

Students in grades 8th through 12th can take two dresses at a time into the fitting rooms to try on. Once they try on two dresses, they must step out of the dressing room so others can go in and try on dresses. There is a 10-minute try-on time in order to keep the line moving. They are welcome to go back to the end of the line to try on another two dresses. In addition, only one student is allowed in each fitting room at a time.

Parents, caregivers, and siblings, please find a seat. If assisting a student with tying up or zipping up a dress, please remain outside of the fitting room until called. Parents, caregivers, and siblings are not permitted to hand additional dresses to students if the student is already in the dressing room with two dresses. The student must leave the fitting room and return to the line to try on additional dresses. Thank you for understanding!

No. This is not a registration-required event. Simply walk-in to a participating branch during the giveaway timeframe.

No. Once you have selected a dress and handed over the hanger to OCL staff, you are free to leave the event.

The library’s Rules of Conduct will be enforced throughout our Prom Dress Giveaway. You can read the Rules of Conduct here.