But for many years, the antiquated landmark facility has had a major drawback: The building has no elevators, and the front steps are particularly tall, which makes entry difficult for seniors, the handicapped and parents with strollers.
"It's upsetting to see a senior with a cane or mother toting a small child having to struggle up several flights of steps," said Lina Podles, the director of the Hoboken Public Library. She added that the library is a wonderful and historic building, but it's from a different era. Because of this, in many ways, the building has become obsolete and is not in compliance the American Disabilities Act.
"These improvements are well overdue and are our first priority," Podles added.
The Hoboken Public Library was created under the New Jersey General Library Act of 1894 and was the third established under the act, following Paterson and Newark. The Stevens family of Hoboken deeded the land to the city in 1896, and the facility opened a year later.
The renovation of the public library, which is being undertaken in three phases, started last May when contractors repaired the leaking roof, replaced 48 windows, cleaned and repaired masonry and stone, installed waterproofing materials, and restored the cupola.
The second phase will make the building more accessible to senior citizens and the disabled. Improvements will include an elevator, renovated bathrooms, a refurbished lobby, and handicapped accessible ramps, according to Joseph Peluso, the city's director of environmental services. He added the installation of the elevator will start within the next 90 days.
According to him, once installation begins, it will take only a few months to complete.
The elevator project is being funded through county grants.
Mayor David Roberts, whose wife, Anna, is the honorary chairperson of the library's capital improvement fundraising committee, said Wednesday making the building accessible is of the utmost importance.
"I'm very happy that we are moving forward with the library's restoration," said Roberts. "The improvements will not only make the building more comfortable, but will also, and more importantly, make it more accessible to those with disabilities."
More funding needed
While funding for the elevator and ramps is in place, there currently aren't any funds to begin phase three of the building's renovations. On Monday, the Library Board of Trustees is kicking off a fund raising drive for future capital improvements.
While the ramps and elevators will go a long way to making the building ADA compliant, there will still be portions of the library that won't be. The improvement drive will collect money to fund renovations that will make the rest of the interior ADA compliant.
"We want to start the third phase as soon as the second phase is done, but it takes money," said Podles. "It would be a shame if the handicapped can get into the building, but then are unable to get around once inside."
The improvement fund will also be used to redesign several of the interior areas, especially those formerly used by the Hudson School. After 23 years of living on year-to-year leases in a building attached to the Hoboken Public Library, the 190 students of the private Hudson School moved into their own space in December of 2002.
The departure of the Hudson School freed up a substantial amount of space for the library, but to optimize that space, design changes need to be made. As of yet, there aren't the funds to make the changes that are necessary.
The fundraising kick-off is scheduled for Monday March 1 at 6 p.m. at Frankie & Johnny's on the Waterfront, 163 14th Street. For more information on the event or how to make a donation, call (201) 420-2281.
Sidebar:
Library extends hours, including on Saturday
The Board of Trustees of the Hoboken Public Library, library Director Lina Podles and the staff of the library announced the expansion of library weekly hours.
Beginning the week of Monday, Feb. 9, the library will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. The library will also add another late night on Wednesdays (9 a.m. to 8 p.m.), and an additional late night opening for the children's room on Tuesday (9 a.m. to 8 p.m.).
Visit the library at 500 Park Ave. or call (201) 420-2346 for the new expanded hours and to learn more about library programs and services.
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