After suffering nearly a year’s delay in construction and a variety of last minute problems, the new Secaucus Public Library will have its official grand opening at noon on Saturday, Jan. 4 – an event to which the public is invited.
According to Library Director Katherine Steffens, the transition between the old and new buildings has already begun. Volunteers are busy emptying shelves in the old library – which will remain open until Dec. 28. The new library and business resource center will open officially on Monday Jan. 6.
The old library – which is normally closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, as well as New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, will close down for three extra days on Dec. 30, Jan 2 and 3 to get things organized for the Jan. 4 dedication.
“This time will allow for correct placement of books in the new building, any last minute glitches and for staff to get acclimated to new computer equipment,” Steffen said.
Mayor Dennis Elwell said moving books would be accomplished through volunteers with possible assistance from members of the Department of Public Works.
“I know Kathy wanted to keep the old library open as long as possible, but I suspected we would have to close it in order to make the move,” Elwell said, noting that all the people invited for the postponed October grand opening had been invited again. “But we don’t know yet who will come.”
Steffens said the library would make every attempt to accommodate library patrons’ needs and requests.
“Pertinent reference materials, new fiction and newspapers will remain on the shelves of the old library until the last minute for the convenience of the patron,” she said. “Because the Secaucus Library is a member of the BCCLS interlibrary loan network, our patrons will continue to have access to the materials of 74 additional libraries through our website at http://wwww.bccls.org.
If there is any situation that requires our assistance, patrons can still contact the library at (201) 330-2083.”
A first glimpse
Members of the Town Council held their Dec. 11 caucus meeting at the new library as part of their introduction to the nearly completed building.
Although Mayor Dennis Elwell and Town Administrator Anthony Iacono have been regular guests in the building during various phases of its construction, many of the other council members had not seen the facility since its initial stages.
The town had to delay the opening of the new library because of several problems, such as problems with concrete areas outside as well as some work that had to be redone inside.
“We’re basically down to a punchlist,” the mayor said, as he led the council members through the nearly completed space.
A punch list is made up of small items that need to be addressed such as adjustments to lights or installation of ceiling tiles. The mayor also noted some small items that had not met up with original specifications, such as sand blasted glass windows for the staff area behind the main desk.
Iacono said one section of shelving had been shortened so as to increase space for wheelchairs through the aisles.
“It looked perfect on paper, but when we set it up, we realized it was rather tight,” he said.
Town Clerk Michael Marra, who had not visited the library since early in construction process, said the facility looked much bigger than he would have guessed from the architectural model. He particularly admired the children’s area and the little theater.
Steffens praised the level of community and staff supported in an effort to get the new building operational.
“I’m most appreciative of the community’s support and patients as we all await the opening of our new library,” she said, praising the staff for their hard work to operate the library while still getting things ready to move. “Our volunteers have also made this a community effort, and for this I am grateful.”