the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the Director of the Ridgewood Public Library Lorri Steinbacher gives an update on the Library’s ambitions for 2023 :
A note from our director
We are so excited about the $500,000 donation from the Ridgewood Public Library Foundation (RPLF) in support of our renovation and modernization projects. As you may know, the library has been exploring ways to better use our 34,000 sq ft space. What worked in 1998 is not working in 2023. Anyone walking through the library in the afternoon will see most of our study tables in use by people of all ages. Our 2022 town-wide survey also gave us a roadmap as residents shared what was important to them. Most asked for more places for people to meet and study, comfortable seating and tables for quiet reading, cosmetic improvements to interiors and furnishings, and a larger area for teens. All these suggestions will be met by the current renovation plans.
The question then became: How can we adapt our space economically with as little disruption to library service as possible? We looked at the financial climate, the impact of inflation on construction costs, and the results of our survey, and we pivoted from a full-scale construction plan to a phased renovation project that preserves our collection space (don’t worry books are here to stay!) while prioritizing the most pressing needs. Here’s what you can look forward to in the first phases:
· Teen Space: A dedicated area for teens instead of a make-do table arrangement
· Small Study & Meeting Rooms: The conversion of our little-used mezzanine level into both collection space and private rooms to meet a variety of needs–individual or collaborative study, a quiet room for a proctored test or a Zoom meeting, or a larger room to meet with a committee to plan your school’s next fundraiser
· Lobby/Circulation Update: A cosmetic refresh to our heavily-trafficked first-floor lobby and circulation area that will make it more welcoming, create a better flow through the library and highlight our new books and media
We can’t wait to share our progress with the community, and we know these carefully chosen and generously funded projects will have immediate and lasting impact. This $500,000 gift from the Foundation is a terrific head start on plans that meet the needs of today and are flexible enough to adapt to the needs of tomorrow.
The King of Con by Thomas Giacomaro and Natasha Stoynoff https://theridgewoodblog.net/king-of-con-by-thomas-giacomaro-and-natasha-stoynoff/
Need to extend hrs on Friday til 8 and Sunday nite sb a 9pm close
No bond.
Mahwah and Ridgewood have similar populations. The Ridgewood Library is 34,000 square feet and is out of date after being renovated in 1998. The Mahwah Library is 26,500 square feet and was built around the same time circa 2000. It seems to function well for its intended use. It might be a good time for the Village to send the library board up to Mahwah to see how they should have spent their money before they get their hands on millions of more dollars.