The Maplewood Library Board of Trustees and the Maplewood Library Foundation announced July 3 the grand reopening of the Maplewood Memorial Library at 51 Baker St.
Founded in 1913 and considered a cornerstone of civic life in Maplewood, the library is 33% larger, and the 32,000-square-foot building includes an additional floor and reflects the community’s commitment to investing in civic infrastructure. The library said It will be the first in New Jersey to be awarded the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
The previous building, constructed in 1955 and expanded in 1969, was 24,000 square feet, with about half of that space underground. The bigger, light-filled facility is intended to show the library as a vibrant gathering space for all ages and backgrounds, where people come to gain knowledge and explore new ideas.
“This isn’t just the end of a decade-long journey, it’s the beginning of a new chapter for Maplewood,” said Sarah Lester, director, Maplewood Memorial Library. “This inspiring building represents who we are: open, forward-thinking, collaborative, deeply rooted in community. It’s the kind of library a ‘reading town’ like ours deserves.”
The $24 million project was made possible through a combination of state, local and private funding. The state contributed $8.3 million through the Library Construction Bond Act, and the municipality provided $12 million, more than satisfying the 50% match requirement. In addition, the Maplewood Library Foundation raised more than $2 million from donors.
The revitalized library was designed by New York City–based Sage and Coombe Architects.
“This library sets a new bar for sustainable civic design,” said Jennifer Sage, partner, Sage and Coombe Architects. “By eliminating the dependence on fossil fuels, maximizing natural light, and integrating seamlessly with the surrounding park, it creates a healthier, more inspiring experience for everyone.”
The all-electric building features solar roof panels, a green roof, bird-friendly fritted glass, daylight sensors, water-saving fixtures, native plantings and energy-efficient climate controls. The new structure has a patio and reading terrace overlooking the Olmsted Firm-designed Park.
Highlights of the new Maplewood Memorial Library include:
- Teen room with floor-to-ceiling windows is a sanctuary just for teens with commanding views of the park
- Children’s room celebrates early learning with a layout that invites discovery
- Community room with 200-person capacity and a separate entrance, operates independently after hours, illuminating the community
- Maker space empowering hands-on learning with 3D printers and work benches, all in a room with state-of-the-art air filtration
- Local history room with historic Maplewood materials and boardroom seating
- Nesting over the community room, a run of stepped seating connects the first and second floors — the Forum — a flexible, energizing space for informal events and collaboration
- Ten quiet study rooms for individuals and small groups looking for private space to read, study and work
“The genesis of our new, more resilient library building stems from two significant climate-related events that deeply impacted our community,” said Vic De Luca, Maplewood Township Committee member and Maplewood Library trustee.
“During Hurricane Sandy, the library retained power and became a beacon of safety and comfort in the days that followed. Then, just as we were preparing to begin construction in 2021, Hurricane Ida flooded the basement with seven feet of water. That made it clear: we needed a building designed not just for today, but for the future.”
