Library Director Sarah Lester and Library Committee Chairwoman Katherine McCaffrey were among a group of volunteers and staff who presented their request for funding to the Township Committee Monday night to help improve and upgrade conditions, challenging the TC to "invest in the future."
"The library is the heart of our community," said McCaffrey, later adding, "we are seeing a rising demand for materials. Reading is up and our collection has expanded to meet demand. Our floor space, however, remains the same."
The main branch, built in 1955, and the Hilton branch, opened in 1959, serve nearly 1,000 visitors combined each day, the officials said. They said both libraries housed a combined 68,000 items in 1960. Today they have more than 130,000 items.
"The demand for internet and computers is overwhelming," McCaffrey added.
The library is seeking to conduct an analysis of options to find the best renovation or expansion plan. Lester estimated that would cost about $30,000, with the library funding half of that. It is asking the TC to fund the other half.
Library officials also estimated the final renovation and improvement would run about $15 million, with $3 million to $5 million of that possibly raised by the library through donations, grants and other fundraising.
The library is asking the Township to fund the rest, likely about $12 million. Currently, the Township provides about $2 million annually in library funds.
"You five individuals have a chance to leave a mark on this town," said Maplewood Library Foundation Board Member Ben Cohen. "I know this is a lot of money, but this is an investment in everyone in the community."
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