Budget Information

Dear Friends,
Last year we had the honor to celebrate the 100th anniversary of our building with you. 31 Broadway was built in 1924 as the Greenlawn School and it underwent name changes, various expansions and eventually became the Harborfields Public Library in 1976. Since 1976, the Library has experienced incredible growth in collections and services. However, 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the most significant expansion that the Library has undertaken.

While there were smaller renovations prior to 2003, the Library still had many identifiable features of its past history as a school. The 2003-2005 renovation rebuilt, refreshed and expanded the entire library with the exception of our historic meeting room wing. Some of the highlights of the renovation included adding significant storage space, a brand-new Children’s Room, Teen Room, renovated Reference Room, quiet study spaces, lighting, heating, ventilation and electrical system upgrades. “We are committed to developing an improvement that is reflective of our community’s input. From increased space to improved services and building system upgrades, the proposed plan will seek to benefit all age groups of the Harborfields Community,” said then Library Director Paul Elsener.

Twenty years ago, the decision to ask the community to pass a bond for the renovation was a difficult one. The leadership of our elected board members and past administration was remarkable. The incredible staff that worked through the renovation years, all while keeping the library operating, was equally remarkable. However, the foresight of the community to invest in their public library for the benefit of future generations was truly extraordinary.

Twenty years later, we believe our Library continues to stand the test of time. In 2024 we were awarded a grant to install an Electric Vehicle charging station and we created Studio31, a studio for recording and podcasting. Additionally, we introduced a new service providing an on-site social worker to support health and social service needs. Our staff remains dedicated to strengthening community connections through ongoing partnerships and sustainable practices.

We believe that we can continue our high standards of service and improve our building with an overall tax increase of 1.25%.  As always, thank you to the entire Harborfields Community for your support. Great communities create great Libraries.

Ryan Athanas & Linda Meglio

Absentee ballot applications are available at the Harborfields Public Library Reference Desk and here on our website as of February 7, 2025. Such applications must be received by the Library Director at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. Upon approval of the application, an absentee ballot will be issued. All absentee ballots must be received at the Library by 5 PM on the day of the election in order to be counted.