Photos Courtesy of the Borough Of Woodland Park

It was a “FABulous” night on April 29 at The Brownstone in Paterson with the Alfred Baumann Library’s Casino Night, hosted by the Friends of the Alfred Baumann Library (FAB), with over 200 supporters, colleagues, and neighbors raising money for the Library and having a fun night out. Organizers send their thanks to everyone who came out, made a donation to, or bought a 50/50 to support the Library. The 50/50 winner went home with over $3,000.

All proceeds from the event will go to the Library’s construction project. The Library was recently awarded a $2,883,577 grant for the renovation and expansion of its building on Brophy Lane by the state as part of the New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act. It is the largest grant ever received by the Borough.

Over its 42 years in its current location, the Library has not had any major renovations or expansions and is in dire need of updates, rehabilitation, barrier-free improvements, and more space. 

The grant, in addition to capital reserve that the Library Board has saved over many years, money fundraised by the Friends of the Library, and some funding from the Borough will match the State grant 1-to-1 to complete this project.

Ground is expected to be broken in the fall and work is anticipated to take about two years to complete. The new building will include spaces for children, teens, adults, and seniors. One of the most exciting additions is a community room that will be available to entire community, even after the library is closed. There is something for everyone.

The Library is conducting its Capital Campaign. Residents should have received a brochure in the mail with details about the project and a variety of ways to donate to the construction fund. Every dollar donated is a matching dollar for the grant. Any questions can be answered by Linda Hoffman, Library Director, at 973-345-8120 or hoffman@abwplibrary.org.