Maplewood's $24M Library Represents A 'New Chapter' For The Township, Supporters Say

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Maplewood’s new, $24 million public library is more than just a rebuild – it’s a “reinvention,” its supporters say.

Earlier this month, the Maplewood Library Board of Trustees and the Maplewood Library Foundation celebrated the grand reopening of the Maplewood Memorial Library at 51 Baker Street.

Now 33 percent larger, the 32,000 square-foot building includes an additional floor. But the extra space is just one of many improvements, according to library administrators:

“The transformation is more than a rebuild, it's a reinvention. 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 and welcoming 21st-century facility reinforces the library as a vibrant gathering space for all ages and backgrounds, where people come to gain knowledge and explore new ideas.”

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”
• “10 Quiet Study Rooms for individuals and small groups looking for private space to read, study and work”

According to administrators, the $24 million project was made possible through a mix of state, local and private funding. The state contributed $8.3 million through the Library Construction Bond Act, and the municipality contributed $12 million, more than satisfying the 50 percent match requirement. In addition, the Maplewood Library Foundation raised more than $2 million from donors.

Designed by New York City–based Sage and Coombe Architects, the revitalized library was constructed with the intent to honor the building’s historic footprint.

It will also be the first library in New Jersey to be awarded a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, administrators said – here’s why:

“A model of environmental stewardship, the all-electric building features solar roof panels (offset 58% of energy use) a green roof, bird-friendly fritted glass, daylight sensors, water-saving fixtures, native plantings and energy-efficient climate controls. The new structure also strengthens the connection to the outdoors with a patio and reading terrace overlooking the Olmsted Firm-designed park. A fully accessible entrance at ground level and a gently sloped ramp from Memorial Park remove physical barriers.”

Jennifer Sage, partner at Sage and Coombe Architects, said the library “sets a new bar” for sustainable civic design.

“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,” Sage said.

See the architecture design concept below (article continues underneath):

Maplewood Township Committee member Vic De Luca, a Maplewood Library trustee, said the idea to construct a “more resilient library building” has roots in two climate-related events that deeply impacted the community.

“During Hurricane Sandy, the library retained power and became a beacon of safety and comfort in the days that followed,” De Luca explained. “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,” De Luca said.

“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 of the Maplewood Memorial Library.

“This inspiring building represents who we are: open, forward-thinking, collaborative, deeply rooted in community,” Lester said. “It’s the kind of library a ‘reading town’ like ours deserves.”

“At a time when many public libraries are facing book bans, budget cuts, and ideological scrutiny, Maplewood has made a bold statement with its new library building,” Lester added. “This community has invested in a space that reclaims the public purpose of libraries where diversity of thought and access to information are not only protected, but celebrated.”

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