CHATHAM — Residents filled the Women’s Club Room at the Library of the Chathams on Wednesday, August 5, for a community presentation on the proposed Library Renovation Project.
The evening was well attended and constructive, with several residents adding their names to the community petition over the course of the evening.
Brian Stevens, principal at HMR Architects and the project architect, walked through the proposed renovation, from the reorganized floor plans to the building systems work hidden behind the walls, and answered questions from the floor. Mayor Jen Rowland and Deputy Mayor Marty McHugh of Chatham Township were among those in attendance. A Zoom option also allowed residents who were unable to attend in person to participate.
Residents engaged directly with the substance of the project. Many acknowledged the building’s structural and HVAC needs, and the discussion remained focused on the project itself and the work required to preserve the library for future generations.
The evening underscored what the project does and does not do. It preserves elements of the original 1924 building, including the fireplace and original woodwork that generations of residents have cherished. At the same time, it upgrades the heating, cooling, electrical and plumbing systems that six decades of additions left working against one another, while reorganizing the spaces residents use every day, all without significantly expanding the building’s footprint. Completing the work as a single project rather than in phases saves an estimated $1.7 million.
Funding for the proposed project is already taking shape to support the estimated $12 million total project cost. The initiative has secured a $2.45 million New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act grant, and the library has approximately $3 million available from prior fundraising and funds set aside over time through its annual operating budgets. In addition, the Chatham Township Committee adopted Resolution No. 2026-140, committing up to $1.25 million toward the project in its 2027 capital budget, subject to the 2027 budget approval process. The project estimate also includes appropriate contingencies.
Residents asked how the renovations would affect access to the library during construction. While many library services will remain operational for the duration of the work, significant portions of the library will need to be closed to the public during construction. The design team will explore ways for the construction to be sequenced throughout the library, possibly leaving some collections open to the public at specific times throughout construction, but these decisions will be primarily based on public safety. The library will notify the public well in advance of any building closures. The construction phase of the renovation is expected to take approximately 12 to 15 months, and the timeline will be updated as the design documents progress toward completion.
Residents also asked about parking. The parking lot and the land surrounding the library are municipal property and are not owned or controlled by the library, and the renovation stays within the building’s existing footprint. Questions about parking are directed to the municipality.
Residents with questions can find detailed answers in the Frequently Asked Questions on the Chatham Library Foundation’s project page. The FAQs address the questions raised most often so far, including why the repairs cannot be done one at a time, how the project will be funded, why renovating costs far less than building new, what happens to parking and to the recently renovated Teen Center, and the tax implications for each town. The same page also includes the full project packet, the appendix of supporting materials, the Part 2 responses to questions raised at the July meetings, and the August 5 presentation slides with floor plans and renderings.
The Chatham Library Foundation thanked Brian Stevens and Kevin Sheridan of HMR Architects for their presentation, Library Director Karen Brodsky for her leadership, and Board President Andy Hollander and the Board of Trustees for their guidance in bringing the project to this point.
The Library of the Chathams has served Chatham Borough and Chatham Township as a joint public library since 1975. Housed in a building that first opened in 1924, the library welcomed more than 194,134 in-person visits in 2025 and serves residents of both communities.
The Chatham Library Foundation is the nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring the Library of the Chathams has the philanthropic support it needs to thrive for generations to come. Through fundraising, advocacy and community engagement, the foundation invests in projects, programs, technology, collections and spaces that strengthen the library beyond what public funding alone can provide. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established exclusively for charitable purposes to support the Library of the Chathams.
