North Bergen Celebrates Grand Reopening of Newly Renovated Sai Rao Public Library
September 11, 2026North Bergen officials, library leaders, community partners, and residents gathered on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026 to celebrate the grand reopening and renaming of the newly renovated Sai Rao Public Library, 8411 Bergenline Ave.
The celebration marked the completion of an extensive renovation of the Township’s flagship library branch and a new chapter for the North Bergen Free Public Library. Residents toured the transformed facility and enjoyed giveaways and a community celebration.
The library was formally named earlier this summer in honor of longtime Executive Director Sai Rao, who has served the North Bergen Free Public Library for 35 years and became the first woman to serve as Executive Director of the Township’s library system. Under her leadership, the library system has expanded its career assistance, citizenship preparation, adult education, technology access, youth programming, health initiatives, and educational opportunities.
Sree Sreenivasan, CEO of Digimentors and Co-Host of the Nobel Peace Conference, served as emcee. Remarks were delivered by Mayor Nicholas Sacco, Commissioners Hugo Cabrera, Allen Pascual, Claudia Rodriguez and Anthony Vainieri, Hudson County Commissioner Robert Baselice, members of the Library Board of Trustees, Township Administrator and Health Director Janet Castro, and representatives from state and regional library, health, and community organizations.
“This beautiful new library represents a major investment in the people of North Bergen and in the future of our community,” said Mayor Sacco. “Sai Rao has dedicated decades of her life to making our library system what it is today, and I can think of no better way to recognize that legacy than to have this incredible facility bear her name.”
“The reopening of this library is an incredibly meaningful moment for me, but more importantly, it is a celebration of what this library means to our entire community,” said Rao. “This renewed library was created with our residents in mind, and I am so proud to welcome them back to a place that will always belong to them.”