What's Happening in Northvale, NJ…

The Northvale Public Library is back in business.

The library shut down in 2011, after Northvale residents refused to approve a $500,000 referendum. Half of the money would have gone to keep the library's doors open. In 2014 however, library supporters got the question of whether or not to reopen the library on the November ballot, where it passed by 618 votes to 538.

Ellen O'Keefe, the library's director, said her staff is “very excited” about reopening the facility, which will be a fully-functioning library. At a May 20 meeting, O'Keefe and her staff discussed bringing new programs to the library, as well as keeping children safe while they visit the library, and anticipating questions users may have about their library cards.

Ed Piehler, Northvale's mayor, said he was delighted to see the library come back to life, and was proud of the Library Board of Trustees for the job it has done in getting the library operational. The Friends of the Northvale Library also worked tirelessly to reopen the facility, saying everyone in any community “should have access to a full-time library with professional librarians and resources”.

The public is invited to a ‘Grand Re-opening’, which is scheduled for 10:00 am to 1:00 pm on June 13, with officials from the county and borough, as well as the library staff, attending.

Library staff could work with a banner printing company to create a colorful, fun banner to celebrate the reopening.