The North Bergen Free Public Library’s main building, located at 8411 Bergenline Avenue, will be undergoing construction starting this winter to renovate the building and establish more spaces for workforce development, health, and educational opportunities. Construction is expected to begin in mid-January. The building will close to the public in late December so that the library can be cleared. Construction is expected to take 8-11 months to complete.

 

The library will maintain a presence uptown during the construction process and is currently exploring uptown temporary location options. Community members are also encouraged to visit the library’s other locations: The North Bergen Rec Center & Library at 1231 Kennedy Blvd and the Guttenberg Resource Center located in the lower level of the Galaxy Towers Mall, 7002 Blvd East, Unit 115 in Guttenberg.

 

To share more about the upcoming construction and to address questions, there will be a community engagement meeting at the Main Library on Monday, Oct. 28 at 6:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. The meeting will be simulcast on Zoom, with a link available on the library’s website at NBPL.org/calendar.

 

The library has also created a community survey to learn more about how the library is currently used and what improvements the community would like to see. The public is invited to share your thoughts and comments at tinyurl.com/nbplsurvey24.

 

The North Bergen Public Library, in conjunction with the North Bergen Health Department, has received $3 million from the NJ State Library to fund this project. The grant program is designed to support the construction or improvement of buildings that enable work, education, and health monitoring in communities with critical needs. By partnering with the Health Department, the library will enhance the facilities so that residents can enjoy workforce development, educational programming, and health opportunities all in one location.

 

Construction will focus on developing the theater space adjacent to the library, formerly the home of the North Bergen Players. This will create a new community space for programming of all types. Construction will also address needed repairs to the building’s infrastructure, a revamp of the children’s and teen’s spaces, and the construction of small group study rooms and telehealth spaces in the adult section.