Groundbreaking For New Maplewood Library To Include Refreshments, Kids' Activity

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Construction begins soon on the town's new Baker Street Library, the city said in a message this week — and a groundbreaking celebration will take place Saturday, Oct. 1 at 11 a.m. with refreshments and a children's activity.

The state awarded an $8.3 million grant to the library in 2020 to construct a new, larger building at 51 Baker St. The Maplewood Library Project, “A Library for the 21st Century," will be two stories and more flood resistant.

It will also have features like community meeting spaces, a Business Center, and a History Center.
The new building will have public spaces, elevators, and restrooms that are more accessible than before.

According to an invitation, the town will have a groundbreaking for the library at 11 a.m. on Oct. with "music, a children’s activity, refreshments, giveaways and a brief ceremony featuring our partners and elected officials."

Officials will also fill a time capsule.

Entrances To Park Will Be Limited

The city said in an alert on Wednesday that because construction on the library is starting soon, access to Maplewood Memorial Park will be limited to Dunnell Road and Valley Street.

For safety purposes, the work site will be fenced off from the public, the town said.

"There will be no access to Memorial Park from the walking path/bridge behind the library for the duration of construction, and residents are advised to plan their routes accordingly," the town said. "Thank you all for your understanding and cooperation as we work to build a library for the 21st century!"

In a virtual town hall in March, the library and Sage & Coombe Architects unveiled the final design plans. The updated plans for the construction are here.

Check out the library website here.