A reading terrace, an outdoor plaza, expansive children’s areas for preschoolers through teens, glass-walled meeting room after meeting room (10 total), views of the park, wood finishes, brick details, raftered ceilings, a grand staircase that feels more like an amphitheater — and so much more.
The fully refurbished and expanded (upward, not outward) Maplewood Memorial Library on Baker Street is starting to come together. On Friday, January 24, workers were installing flooring and carpets, as Township Committee member Vic DeLuca and Library Executive Director Sarah Lester toured Township Committee member Deb Engel, Library Trustee North Keeragool, Library Board Vice President Jennifer Latimer and one member of the press through the work site.
“So beautiful,” said Engel. And everyone agreed.
But so much beauty doesn’t come easily or cheaply. The $24.5 million project (paid for with $12.6M from the township, an $8.4M grant from the state, $2M raised by the Maplewood Memorial Library Foundation, and $1.5M in FEMA funds) was first projected to be completed in 2024, but supply chain issues for the Gold LEED-certified building have pushed that back.
“There’s still a lot to do,” said Lester.
“We’re talking the end of June,” said DeLuca.
RELATED: ‘Very Cool’ Maplewood Memorial Library Expected to Reopen Early 2025, September 29, 2024
VIDEO, PHOTOS–Final Designs for Maplewood Main Library Branch Unveiled, March 24, 2022
RELATED: Maplewood Has ‘Once in a Generation’ Opportunity to Build 21st Century Library, December 6, 2017
See photos from January 24, 2025 below:
![](https://villagegreennj.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IMG_5836-771x578.jpg)
DeLuca on the future roof terrace.
![](https://villagegreennj.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IMG_5826-2-600x450.jpg)
Views of Maplewood Memorial Park.
![](https://villagegreennj.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IMG_5817-2-600x450.jpg)
A grand staircase/gathering place emerges.
![](https://villagegreennj.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IMG_5816-2-600x450.jpg)
Wood flooring awaiting installation.
![](https://villagegreennj.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IMG_5807-4-771x1028.jpg)
DeLuca explains that ceiling and flooring wood finishes will create a path.