Residents Encouraged to Help Shape the Library of the Chathams' Renovation Ahead of July Decisions

Chatham, NJ, July 1, 2026 - With key decisions expected at public meetings in July, the Chatham Library Foundation is encouraging residents of Chatham Borough and Chatham Township to learn about the Library's Renovation Project, known to the community as A Space for Everyone, and to tell their elected officials where they stand.

The project would preserve the Library's historic 1924 building while replacing failing heating, cooling, electrical, plumbing, and fire-suppression systems that were added piecemeal across decades and no longer work together as one. It would also modernize public spaces, creating a larger children's center, flexible meeting and business spaces, STEM learning areas, and a climate-controlled room to protect the Library's local history collection. Rather than expand the building's footprint, the plan reorganizes the spaces residents already use.

A $2.45 million New Jersey state grant and approximately $3 million in Library funds and reserves are already committed, bringing about $5.45 million to the project. The Borough and Township are now considering how to fund the remaining balance, an estimated $6.5 million, with decisions expected at public meetings on July 13 and July 14.

The need extends well beyond cosmetic improvements. Since 2020 the Library has spent nearly $200,000 on HVAC repairs, including more than $56,000 in 2025 alone, while the building has experienced humidity levels as high as 91 percent, temperature swings from 63 to above 81 degrees, and multi-day climate-control outages that put the local history collection at risk. The electrical system is more than 70 years old, and a recalled breaker box has already had to be replaced.

Renovating is also the fiscally responsible choice: a 2026 estimate placed the cost of a comparable new building at $25 million to $28 million, against roughly $10.4 million in construction costs for the proposed renovation.

Far from slowing down, the Library is busier than ever, and that is much of the point: community use has surged since 2021 while the building's capacity has barely changed. About 86 percent of residents hold a library card, and the Library now draws more than 620 visits a day. Program attendance has more than quadrupled since 2021, the number of community meetings hosted has grown nearly sevenfold, and more than 50 organizations rely on its meeting spaces. In 2025 the Library delivered an estimated $3.9 million in value to residents through books, technology, research help, and gathering space for people of all ages across both Chathams.

The project was presented to both governing bodies on May 26. Afterward, members of the Township Committee said they wanted to hear more from residents before deciding, and the Foundation is encouraging the community to take part in that conversation.

For half a century, the Library has belonged to both Chathams. It's where kids find their first books, where neighbors gather, and where our local history is kept safe. Renovating it now will let it keep doing all of that for the next hundred years," said Andy Hollander, president of the Chatham Library Foundation. "As our elected officials weigh the project's future, we simply want every resident to understand what's at stake and to have a real chance to be heard.

How residents can take part:

• Review the project packet and frequently asked questions.
• Email members of the Borough Council and Township Committee with your views.
• Sign the community petition supporting the Capital Improvement Project.
• Speak during public comment at the July meetings.

The Borough Council meets Monday, July 13, and the Township Committee meets Tuesday, July 14, both at 7:30 p.m. The project packet, frequently asked questions, petition, officials' contact information, a sample email, and full meeting details are available here.