Historic Parsippany Library Plans Re-Opening Celebration

PARSIPPANY, NJ — Months after a dedicated group of Mount Tabor residents fought to keep the Mount Tabor Branch Library open and operational for the benefit of the community, the day has come.

At the July 25 town council meeting, Mayor James Barberio gave an update stating that the lease for the Mount Tabor Branch Library had officially been signed.

"The Mount Tabor library lease—I signed it yesterday. That should be complete, and we're waiting on the Camp Meeting Association (CMA) to sign it as well," Barberio said.

According to officials, CMA’s president, Kevin Northover, received the signed lease on Aug. 2.

The community library, which had been in operation since 1901, was first closed down during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.

At the Library Board of Trustees meeting on Oct. 24, Melissa Kuzma, director of the Parsippany Library, recommended permanently closing the branch, citing lower usage at the Mount Tabor branch, which means it costs more to keep it open.

Dawn Catanzaro, a resident who organized a support group for the small library branch in the heart of the historic Mount Tabor district, previously told Patch that Barberio had agreed to include funds in the budget to cover the costs of operating the Mount Tabor Branch.

"It has been a long ten months, but the Mount Tabor Library Branch will be reopening Tuesday, August 8. After many meetings and emails, the library lease has been signed by the mayor, supported by the Town council, and received in the Camp Meeting Association office," Catanzaro said.

Beginning Aug. 8, the library will be open the following days and hours:

• Tuesdays: 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
• Wednesdays: 3 p.m.–8 p.m.
• Thursdays: 3 p.m.–8 p.m.
• Fridays: 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
• Saturdays: 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

According to Catanzaro, the library director plans a grand reopening celebration for the entire community in the fall.

Mary Martin, a community member, recently spoke at a township council meeting in support of the council's continued attention and proactive response to the library in recent months.

"The residents of Mount Tabor are thrilled with the project and the progress that is being made toward the reopening," Martin said.

Catanzaro stated that the library and has begun making changes to make it more functional, comfortable, and appealing now that the reopening date is no longer unknown. The furniture in the building has also been rearranged to create separate zones for children, teens and computer use.

The Mount Tabor Library is located at 26 Simpson Avenue, Tabor.