Montclair Library Reopens Bellevue Branch After COVID Closure

MONTCLAIR, NJ — For more than a year, the Bellevue Avenue branch library in Montclair has been closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. But recently, community members were all smiles as the branch reopened its doors – with fanfare.

Members of the Montclair Public Library’s volunteer support organizations – the Montclair Library Friends (MLF) and Friends Of Bellevue Avenue Library (FBAL) – celebrated the reopening of the historic Bellevue Avenue branch on July 6 with a public, outdoor ceremony.

Other participants included Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill, Montclair Mayor Sean Spiller, Deputy Mayor Bill Hurlock, Fourth Ward Councilor David Cummings, Councilor At Large Bob Russo, and MPL Board President JoAnn McCullough and MPL Board Treasurer Lois Whipple.

The Bellevue Avenue branch library has served generations of users since it opened. But like many other local institutions, the branch closed in March 2020 as the pandemic hit New Jersey and a shortfall besieged the town’s budget.

The branch is slowly ramping up to full hours. Current hours for the building are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with additional hours expected to be announced in the near future.

“Safety protocols and staffing capacity will be in place as MPL works towards gradually expanding operating hours and fully reopening services as soon as circumstances allow,” organizers said.

Mayor Sean Spiller said the town is “proud” to provide additional support to the Montclair Public Library to help reopen the Bellevue Avenue branch, a sentiment that Deputy Mayor Bill Hurlock seconded.

“I’m thrilled we reopened Bellevue Avenue Branch Library, a gem in the crown of the Montclair community,” Hurlock said. “Residents are so excited to see this historic institution returned to service.”

“This library building is exactly what Montclair needs right now,” Friends Of Bellevue Avenue Library President Cordelia Siporin said. “It’s a welcoming public space that’s free and open to all, where people of every age and background can come together to learn, share, and discover who they are and what they want to be.”

“We’re grateful to our elected and appointed officials including the mayor, deputy mayor, municipal council, library trustees and MPL Director Peter Coyl for their continued support and cooperation,” Montclair Library Friends Steering Committee President Ed Robin said.

“This reopening is truly a gift for our community,” Robin said.

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