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Peapack & Gladstone Branch Celebrates Grand Reopening
PEAPACK, NJ – On Saturday, January 24, the Somerset County Library System of New Jersey (SCLSNJ) officially celebrated the grand reopening of its Peapack & Gladstone branch following an extensive renovation. The morning-long celebration brought together local officials, library leadership, and community members to debut an updated space designed to serve as a vibrant hub for learning and connection.
The event kicked off with a ceremonial ribbon cutting hosted by Jungwon DeVone, Peapack & Gladstone Branch Manager. Participating in the ceremony were Peter Bromberg, SCLSNJ Library Director; Carol Lane, President of the Friends of the Peapack & Gladstone Library; Jamie Murphy, Peapack & Gladstone Borough Council President; Melonie Marano, Somerset County Commissioner and Liaison to the Library Commission; and Jennifer Dawson, SCLSNJ Library Commissioner.
The renovation—which transformed the library’s layout with new flooring, modern windows, refreshed seating, and enhanced resource areas—was designed specifically to elevate the patron experience. This project was made possible through the dedicated advocacy and generous funding provided by the Friends of the Peapack & Gladstone Library.
"When a community comes together with a love for libraries, this is the amazing result," said Peter Bromberg. "While our libraries will always have books, this space is truly about community connection. It is a place for families to learn together and a resource that supports everything from early literacy to small business growth and workforce development."
Carol Lane highlighted the immense communal effort required to reach this milestone. "This project was a true partnership, and we are so grateful to the borough council and administration for their work in bringing it to life," said Lane. "It was made possible by over 20 years of fundraising and a total community investment of nearly $800,000. Because of our donors, we’ve been able to transform a space once held together by duct tape and aging infrastructure into the beautiful, modern library you see today."
Following the formal ceremony, the atmosphere turned festive as families and children enjoyed a high-energy musical performance by Kurt Gallagher. The celebration also featured a photo booth, glitter tattoos, and refreshments, providing a lively environment for neighbors to reconnect and explore the upgraded facilities.
The Peapack & Gladstone branch is now fully open to the public at 1 School Street. All are encouraged to visit the branch to see the transformation firsthand during regular operating hours: Monday through Thursday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. To explore the full lineup of upcoming programs and events, please visit the SCLSNJ event calendar at sclsnj.org.