MAPLEWOOD MEMORIAL LIBRARY’S HISTORIC $24 MILLION REBUILD MARKS NEW ERA OF ACCESS, INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY

New Jersey’s first LEED Gold-certified library serves as a model for modern public spaces, as cultural institutions nationwide face challenges

(PHOTO CREDIT: CHAD HUNT)

MAPLEWOOD, N.J. (July 3, 2025) – The Maplewood Library Board of Trustees and the Maplewood Library Foundation today announced the grand reopening of the Maplewood Memorial Library at 51 Baker Street. Now 33% larger, the newly reimagined 32,000 square-foot building includes an additional floor and reflects the community’s commitment to investing in civic infrastructure. It will be the first library in New Jersey to be awarded the prestigious LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

A public celebration and ribbon cutting will be held on Saturday, July 5, at 11 a.m..

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.

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

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% 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 honors the historic footprint while infusing the space with a sustainable, contemporary design. The project was shaped with community input through surveys, community forums and interviews. Do a deep dive on the full ARCHITECTURE DESIGN CONCEPT here.

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

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. 

“The genesis of our new, more resilient library building stems from two significant climate-related events that deeply impacted our community,” said Vic De Luca, Maplewood Township Committee member and Maplewood Library trustee. “During Hurricane Sandy, the library retained power and became a beacon of safety and comfort in the days that followed. 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.”

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

“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,” said Lester. “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.”

For more information about the Maplewood Memorial Library and the grand opening, visit https://www.maplewoodlibrary.org/.

About Maplewood Memorial Library

Founded in 1913, the Maplewood Memorial Library is a cornerstone of civic life in Maplewood, New Jersey. Dedicated to the principle of being “Open for All,” the library fosters lifelong learning, cultural engagement and community connection through its inclusive programs, collections and spaces.

About the Maplewood Library Foundation

The Maplewood Library Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the Maplewood Memorial Library and ensuring its continued growth, accessibility and innovation. Through fundraising and community engagement, the Foundation helps advance the library’s mission of being Open for All, providing resources that empower learning, creativity and connection for all members of the community.

About Sage and Coombe Architects

Sage and Coombe Architects is a New York City–based architecture firm known for designing thoughtful, inclusive, and contextually sensitive public spaces. With a portfolio that includes libraries, schools, parks and civic buildings, the firm emphasizes community collaboration, sustainability and human-centered design. Sage and Coombe’s work has been widely recognized for transforming spaces into vibrant, equitable hubs of engagement and access.

Media Contact:

Rosemary Ostmann

RoseComm for the Maplewood Memorial Library

rostmann@rosecomm.com

201-615-7751