Children’s Room Renovation – Spring 2026

We Heard You: Exciting Changes Coming to the Children’s Room!

Beginning Monday, April 27, improvements to the Children’s Room at the Metuchen Public Library will begin. During this time, the Children’s Room will be closed for about four weeks while work is underway.

While the space is being updated, a temporary Children’s area will be set up in the Lower Level Activity Room, with limited access to physical materials. The Children’s Department will begin moving materials and services there during the week of April 20 to ready the Activity Room.

Although the Children’s Room will be closed, families will still have access to plenty of books. Patrons may borrow and request children’s materials from any STELLA member library during the project with their Metuchen library card.

The good news is that children’s programs will continue throughout the improvements! Check the events calendar on our website for scheduled programs. https://www.metuchenlibrary.org/calendar/

Behind the scenes, staff are preparing an Opening Day Collection of new books that will fill the shelves when the Children’s Room reopens.

When the project is complete, the Children’s Room will feature fresh paint, new lighting, new carpet, updated furnishings, an early literacy corner, study space for children, and more, creating a brighter and more welcoming space for young readers and families.

A HUGE thank you to the Friends of the Metuchen Library and our amazing community for responding to the Friends’ “Next Chapter” Fundraiser and helping make this project possible. Your support is bringing these improvements to life!

We can’t wait to share the refreshed space with you and look forward to announcing our Grand Reopening after Memorial Day. Stay tuned!

Week of April 27th Update
– All window trim has been repainted
– Light fixtures removed and ceiling touched up

Large room under renovation with tall arched windows, debris scattered across a dark carpeted floor, and a ladder set up in a doorway beneath an exit sign. Covered radiators line the walls.

Interior room under renovation with scaffolding in front of tall windows, a covered worktable, and a fireplace with decorative molding. Walls show patchwork and areas prepared for painting.

Ceiling with decorative molding and multiple patch repairs, including a taped opening and a ventilation vent, indicating ongoing maintenance work.

Room under renovation with a tall ladder positioned beneath a decorative ceiling near an arched window, with tools and a trash bin on the floor.

Renovation materials and boxed supplies placed on sawhorses in a room with two large arched windows and a fireplace, with surfaces partially covered.

Week of May 4th Update
– Painting is complete! Soft Fern is the color!

Week of May 11th Update
– Completed lighting!