In 1912, the private library of Eleanor Bugg was made available to select individuals within the community. By 1920, the Mahwah Women’s Club assumed responsibility for the collection and decided to make the materials available to the town. In 1921, the collection was moved to a storefront facility on Miller Road, where, through various efforts and fundraising activities, the ladies managed to keep the library open to the public.
The Women’s Club relinquished control of the collection in 1929 and the facility became known as the Mahwah Public Library Association. Annie Winter was a long and avid supporter. When her husband died in 1944, his will bequeathed $40,000 for a new library to which Mrs. Winter added $25,000.
Completed in 1949 and designed to serve a population of 4,800, the new library on Franklin Turnpike held 15,000 books in less than 3,000 square feet. Space was added in 1978 by occupying the basement, but the Franklin Turnpike facility was soon full: At year end 1993, active cardholders numbered over 11,000 and library holdings numbered over 80,000 items.
On January 13, 1998, the dream of a new, state-of-the-art library became a reality thanks to the Mahwah Board of Education, the Township Council, the Library Board of Trustees, and the generosity of so many patrons over the course of an ambitious fundraising effort. This facility consists of 21,500 square feet on the main level and 7,800 square feet on the lower level for expansion, now under way. Within its new home, the library has been able to enhance its services to our diverse and growing community, and our growth continues with the finishing of the lower level.
Lower-level construction work will begin soon!
When it does, Construction Man below will show you progress photos.
When it does, Construction Man below will show you progress photos.
