(Courtesy of Bergenfield Library) On December 5, the Bergenfield Public Library will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the Children’s Room to celebrate several recent interior upgrades. The event will run from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., and light refreshments will be served. Members of Bergenfield’s governing body and library board will be in attendance.

The library was closed for the bulk of November to replace all of its existing carpet and VCT tile, flooring which was installed during the 2005 renovation. During the closure, staff took the opportunity to refresh and reinvigorate the Children’s Room. In addition to installing a more cheerful carpet, all of the cloth seating was reupholstered, and two custom train-themed murals were mounted (murals sponsored by the Friends of the Library.) The decision to prioritize the Children’s Room arose in large part because usage of that area and its collections has rebounded completely post-pandemic. Since 2019, program attendance has increased by 27% and circulation of juvenile materials has increased by 63%. These updates to the Children’s Room are the first steps in a long process to transform the space into a premier destination for education, recreation and social interaction.

The artist who designed and installed the two train murals, Carolyn Sansone from Gallery Works LLC, will also be attending the ribbon-cutting event and will be available to answer any questions about the mural design process.

In addition, the Bergenfield Elks will be running several lines of historic model trains in the lower-level meeting room all throughout the week of December 5. This exhibit will be free and open to the public. Members from the Elks and Elks Antlers will be on site at the December 5 ribbon-cutting event to share information about model trains.

For more information about this event, email [email protected] or contact the library at 201-387-4040.