Caldwell Library Celebrates Recovery From Serious Storm Damage

CALDWELL, NJ — The Caldwell Public Library will hold a “Grand Reopening” on Saturday, June 1 to celebrate its refurbished children’s room, which was badly damaged in a storm last year.

On June 1, the library will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m., followed by a special story time with Caldwell Mayor John Kelley and an appearance by Pete the Cat at 10:30 a.m. The event will also include kid-friendly activities between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. including pony rides, a petting zoo, crafts and games and free ice cream provided by Gelotti of Caldwell.

The public is invited to join the celebration. For more information, call the library at 973-226-2837 or visit www.caldwellpl.org.

The event takes place about a year after the library took extensive damage during a massive flood, which left its children’s room in desperate need of repair.

Here’s how library staff described the damage… and recovery efforts:

“In August 2018 the entire lower level of the Caldwell Library was flooded, which destroyed thousands of books, computer equipment, furniture and supplies. The Caldwell Public Library Foundation raised $25,000 through the ‘Reimagine and Rebuild’ campaign, and the plaque listing the donors to this campaign will be revealed at the event. Three mixed media pieces by American Impressionist, Lisa Palombo, have been donated to the library in memory of Cathy McHugh and Tom Gartland and will be displayed in the Children’s Room as well. The Caldwell Merchants Association has generously donated a new book drop which is located behind the library.”

• See related article: Caldwell Library Suffers Serious Storm Damage
• See related article: Caldwell Library Still Rebuilding Children's Room After Flood

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