Shuttered Since April 2025, Hagaman Library To Re-Open 'No Later' Than January 2026: Mayor

EAST HAVEN, CT — In a letter to the community, Hagerman Memorial Library director Sarah Mallory shared that it is "anticipated" the library will reopen in January 2026. In the post, she noted that, "Rebuilding a library isn’t a quick or simple task."

As first reported by Patch, Hagerman was shuttered in mid-April when a broken water pipe flooded the library.

Mallory said that, "Moisture needed to be addressed first, key systems restored, and over 72,000 books carefully packed (in alphabetical order!) and relocated for safekeeping. Watching that process unfold has been both humbling and inspiring; it has been a reminder of how special our library really is."

In a news release, Mayor Joseph A. Carfora said the library will open "no later than January."

"It is our goal to have a grand reopening of the East Haven Library no later than January, providing residents with a renewed library that will serve the community for many years to come," he said.

And he quashed a "rumor" that the building has a rodent problem.

"Finally, regarding concerns about rodents, I want to be clear: there is no rodent problem inside the library building. The rumor appears to be based on a careless misrepresentation of a report that documented rodent damage to an outdoor air conditioning compressor unit—an issue not uncommon in outdoor systems," he said. "The indoor systems were not impacted. While the concern is understandable, this claim has been exaggerated and misrepresented."

Carfora said that the town has been "prioritizing the restoration of our library from day one."

The mayor said that "behind the scenes," the town has been working closely with Mallory, the town's insurance carrier, and the carrier for the third-party vendor "responsible for the cause of the damage to ensure the process is handled with care, particularly regarding the preservation of our materials and the integrity of the building."

"We understand how eager the community is to have their library back. While working with insurance companies can take time, it was a necessary step to ensure this project could move forward without placing any financial burden on the taxpayers of East Haven. Following those extensive negotiations, I am pleased to report that repair work is well underway," Carfora said.

According to the mayor, the building sustained extensive water damage as a result of a failed water line installed and maintained by a third-party vendor.

Carfora noted that to date: Books and materials have been securely packed and stored. Critical electrical systems have been repaired. In the limited areas where asbestos was present, it has been fully and safely remediated. Restoration in the historic 1928 front rooms of the library and adult reading areas are nearing completion, with the children's department next in line. New flooring will be installed throughout most of the building, and many areas will receive fresh paint and wallpaper.

"When the library reopens, residents will return to a revitalized space—familiar but modernized—with new technology, updated computers, and nologyenhanced opportunities for learning and engagement," Carfora said. "It is also important to note that from the beginning, the Town has worked closely with both insurance carriers to ensure that the responsible party and its insurer cover the costs."

Here is Mallory's full letter:

A Letter to the Community, From Hagaman Memorial Library Director Sarah A. Mallory

Dear Library Friends and Family,

The update we’ve all been waiting for! I am excited to share this press release from Town Hall (please see last slide), outlining some of the work that has been completed so far, the work yet to come, and our anticipated Grand Reopening in January 2026.

We know how much you miss the library. We miss you, too! And we have heard the concern and rumors about whether Hagaman will reopen. Please rest assured: Hagaman Library is coming back. Our town administration has been working closely with insurance companies on your behalf, advocating every step of the way to ensure that our beloved library continues to serve the East Haven community for generations to come.

Rebuilding a library isn’t a quick or simple task. Moisture needed to be addressed first, key systems restored, and over 72,000 books carefully packed (in alphabetical order!) and relocated for safekeeping. Watching that process unfold has been both humbling and inspiring; it has been a reminder of how special our library really is.

Now, as we look forward to the next phase of repairs, we are so excited to see a transformation starting to take shape! Hagaman isn’t just being restored—it’s being renewed. Our library will receive new floors, new walls, and new technology. Our space will be modernized but familiar, a place where history meets the future. When we reopen our doors and invite you back, I hope walking through them feels like coming home again. I know it will for me.

In the meantime, please consider this a warm invitation to visit with library staff at our Pop-Up Library, a temporary satellite location at 91 Taylor Avenue, inside the East Haven Senior Center. Join us to browse a selection of free books, receive one-on-one tech instruction, and more.

The Pop-Up Library is free and open to all. Our Pop-Up Library hours are as follows:

Tuesdays from 9:30am to 2:30pm
Thursdays from 9:30am to 8pm*
*closes 6pm on 3rd Thursdays to accommodate town meetings

As we move forward, I want to thank you again, East Haven, for your continued patience, your kind words, and your unwavering support for Hagaman Library. I look forward to providing you with more updates in the near future.

Read more >>>>>> UPDATE: Broken Pipe Leads To Flooding, Shuttering Hagaman Library

Library 'Under Construction' Due To Flooding, New Venues For Programs

A Community Message From Still-Shuttered Hagaman Memorial Library

Shuttered For More Than 3 Months, Mayor Provides Update on Hagaman Library Repairs