Many residents of Hoboken have rediscovered an old treasure at 500 Park Ave. The Hoboken Public Library is a new hotspot in town, with circulation having more than doubled since 2000.
“We saw a very big spike in circulation,” said Lena Podles, director of the library. “It’s something that makes us very proud.”
The 112-year-old building is home to more than 700,000 volumes of books, 16 computers, wireless internet access, an extensive collection of music and movies, and programs for all ages.
“It’s not just books,” said Arturo Martinez, president of the Board of Trustees for the library.
They even have downloadable books and 100 titles of audio books called “Play Away” that headphones plug right into.
But the library’s backers aren’t resting on their laurels.Planning $5M more in renovations
After significant renovations in 2003 and 2007, the library, one of the oldest in the state, is planning another round of upgrades.
“With the age [of the building] comes some disadvantages,” Podles said.
In 2003, the roof and the dome of the library were upgraded, and in 2007, an elevator was added, as well other improvements to increase access for seniors and disabled persons.
Now the focus is on creating specific program rooms, installing suitable heating and air conditioning, and taking care of an antiquated electrical system.
Everything will cost an estimated $5 million.
“It will be drastically improved,” Podles said.
Clearing hurdles
One of the obstacles in maximizing the space of the library is that in the past, the building housed a school on one side and a library on the other.
“The building was originally designed for two functions under one roof,” said Podles. “The infrastructure is sound, but it’s not supporting what the needs are.”
From its inception in 1896, one side of the building had a trade school for immigrants that closed in the 1960s. Then, the private Hudson School occupied half of the building until about five years ago.
“Space for a school is very different than space for a library,” said Martinez. “We need to redo some of the rooms.”
The proposed use for the rooms ranges from a quiet study area to a space for book sales.
Another proposal is to create a historical records room for “preserving old records and manuscripts dating back to the beginning of Hoboken,” according to Martinez.
Podles added, “We have some interesting materials that we own.”
The room would have distinctive needs, including a system the keep the old records climate-controlled.
Other upgrades
The heating and air conditioning at the library leaves a lot to be desired.
“Last summer, we had to close a few days because the air conditioning gave out,” Martinez said. “Our heating system is horrendous.”
He added, “The electrical system needs to be updated,” explaining that computers and expansion have put a strain on the old electrical system.
Martinez also said that the basement needs a lot of work and there is currently no space for librarians to spend downtime.
Podles said that the library has looked into opening a new branch to add to their existing 21,000 square feet, but real estate is too expensive in town right now.
Town pays $1.7M budget
The city supports the library, budgeting $1.7 million for salaries and expenses this year. The state requires an increase of 15 percent every year in library funding. The city floated a bond to pay for renovations in 2007, according to Business Administrator Richard England.
Mayor David Roberts has donated part of his mayoral salary to the library in the past, last year handing over $5,000. According to Roberts, his wife, who is on the Board of Trustees, lobbies him to increase funding for the public library.
Martinez said that funding has been hard to come by.
“The budget has undercut the library every year,” he said.
John Pope, director of human services for the city, said, “It’s a beautiful building … We will continue to support them in the future.”
Of the renovations, he said, “This is a grandiose plan, and there are things that we could do in phases.”
He said that the library is the biggest expense in the Human Services department.
Martinez also hopes to get approval from the city to hire an assistant librarian and open the library on Sundays, but he said that these renovations remain a priority.
The Board of Trustees is going to organize fund raisers for these renovations, and Podles said that the library is applying for a Historical Building Grant which could bring up to $750,000.
She maintains that whatever the economic state of the city or the country is, the library remains important.
“The thing about the library is that you always need it,” said Podles.
Celebration
National Library Week is April 13 to April 19 and the Hoboken library is celebrating with events for kids and adults all week. For a complete listing of events, visit the website.
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