Montclair Public Library eyes historic facilities upgrades
Published on May 01, 2025
Montclair Public Library eyes historic facilities upgrades
Resident survey to inform application for state financing program
The Montclair Public Library is on track to address decades of deferred maintenance, while applying for a state funding facility that could result in transformational facilities upgrades at minimal cost to Township taxpayers.
On April 22nd the Township Council completed the process of authorizing $5 million for repairs and improvements at the library’s main building and Bellevue Avenue branch, including new HVAC systems, roof and window replacements, and remediation of long-running water infiltration problems.
Meanwhile, MPL director Radwa Ali is working with library and Township staff, members of the Library Board and Township Council, Montclair Public Library Foundation, the Historic Preservation Commission and other stakeholders to secure tens of millions of dollars from a unique state funding facility called the CAFE (Cultural Arts Facilities Expansion) program. If successful, the CAFE application could see a wholesale transformation of both interior and exterior of the main library, and an addition to the bustling branch, allowing the upstairs of the landmark 1914 “Carnegie” building to be an elegant reading room on par with those of historic libraries around the world.
“The Council’s approval of $5 million not only allows us to address our most urgent facilities needs, but is key to unlocking tens of millions in state funds to turn both buildings into model libraries, with dynamic, inclusive, and flexible modern spaces able to serve our entire community for decades to come,” said Ali.
The specialist architecture firm of Arcari + Iovino is drafting plans for both buildings, drawing on input from a range of stakeholders, as well as designs created for a different state funding program that a previous Council ultimately decided against bidding for. While the tight June 6 CAFE application requires the “locking down” of rough designs for cost estimation purposes over the coming weeks, there will be an opportunity to modify most elements.
As part of the process the Library has launched a survey for residents to express their preferences on what types of spaces and services they want to see enhanced or added.
Click here to take the Montclair Public Library Facilities Community Survey
“Over the years, the Montclair Public Library Board of Trustees, staff, and volunteers have worked to reflect the evolving needs of our community. We invite you to share your vision for the future—what you hope the library can be and how we can continue to grow together,” said JoAnn McCullough, MPL Board of Trustees President
In the meantime, Library and Township staff and others are working to ensure that the CAFE application is successful, and leads to an efficient and cost-effective building program.
“While the CAFE program is incredibly generous, we will still have financial skin in the game, and I am glad to see that Director Ali, the Foundation and others are treating every dollar like it’s their own,” said First Ward Councilor Erik D’Amato, who chairs the Council’s Facilities & Infrastructure Committee. “And even if the application isn’t successful, the costs incurred in the process will have been money well spent, helping us better understand how to best leverage these key Township assets.”