For 18 months, the citizens of the Peapack-Gladstone borough have been without their library. On July 27th, 2024, renovation began on the PG Municipal Building’s library. Recently, on Saturday, January 24th, 2026, the library was finally reopened, to the happiness of many readers in the area. New renovations include a separate children’s room, an office for librarians, and lounge areas for visitors.

One of the most significant additions to the library is the updated children’s section, where kids of all ages can go to play with toys, read books, and make friends. Prior to the renovation, it was a small room in the back of the library, connected to the main area, causing many readers to be distracted by loud noises. 

Ms. Jenna Galley, a longtime PG librarian and a youth service member, says “In the newly renovated space, the children have their own dedicated room with a door. Children visiting the space can laugh and play without disrupting other patrons who may be reading, studying or doing homework.” 

Keeping children entertained while simultaneously allowing other visitors to do whatever they need to without any unnecessary distractions is important in a library setting. With the new renovations, this goal is coming to fruition.

The renovations started immediately after the end of the PG Summer Recreation Program, where children would visit the library to read, play computer games, or just get out of the heat. This was a strategic move, where many of the younger campers needed their own space to play, a chance they would not have been given with ongoing construction. The same would go for other children at different times of the year, making it harder for the youth of the town to enjoy their time there.

Originally, the $670,000 renovation was supposed to be done by the spring of 2025. However, on December 14th, 2024, a fire was reported on the roof of the municipal building, greatly prolonging the completion of the project.

Mr. Anthony Arpino, the head custodian of the municipal building, saw much of the renovation as it was going on, and noted that “[The fire] significantly delayed [the project] because insurance companies had to be involved.” 

To renovate any building, support from a passionate group of people and a great sum of money are needed. Luckily for the citizens, Mrs. Jamie Murphy, the Peapack & Gladstone Borough Council President, was there to assist with both. 

As President of the Council, her voice and vote mattered greatly, and she was in full support of pushing the project forward and acquiring the funds for construction of the building. When asked about the process for greenlighting and funding construction, she recalled, “Most of the donors are current and historic residents of Peapack Gladstone. The donor’s generosity funded most of the architectural and construction costs, transforming this library into a space ready for the future.”

With the money from the people and the Council’s approval, the project was approved, and construction began a few months later. 

Now, with the library being available to the public, readers from all across the Peapack-Gladstone area can come visit to read, hang out, and have a good time.