SOMA Living September 2025

MAPLEWOOD LIBRARY THE MAPLEWOOD MEMORIAL LIBRARY IS ‘OPEN TO ALL’

On July 5, the community celebrated the grand opening of the newly rebuilt Maplewood Memorial Library. This expansive facility, now a third larger, showcases inclusivity, sustainability, and innovation. More than 1,100 residents attended the ribbon cutting, and nearly 4,000 visited throughout the day to explore the light-filled space. The design emphasizes equity, allowing everyone to enter on the same level from either the front or back. The 32,000 square foot building meets the diverse needs of the community. It features dedicated spaces for all ages, including Children’s and Teen Rooms, Create Space, and The Forum, creating hubs for learning, connection, and invention at every stage of life. The library seamlessly integrates indoor and outdoor spaces with an outdoor reading terrace and a ground-level patio. Protective bird-safe glass and floor-to-ceiling windows overlook Maplewood Memorial Park. As an all-electric building, the library draws 58% of its energy from solar panels and aims to become the only LEED Gold–certified public library in the state. The Maplewood Memorial Library celebrates and serves our diverse, dynamic, literate, library card-carrying town. We affirm a diversity of experiences and perspectives, and recognize the equal humanity and dignity of all persons. As such, programming and collections embrace, include, and celebrate a full spectrum of the human experience. the library remains committed as a sanctuary for reading, with the freedom to read as a cornerstone of democracy. “More than just a place for books, this library serves as a vibrant center for community growth and connection,” said Sarah Lester, Library Director. “We look forward to empowering residents for generations to come.” The Maplewood Memorial Library staff and volunteers invite everyone to visit and participate in this exciting new chapter. For more information, visit https://www.maplewoodlibrary.org/.

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