The Johnson Public Library marked its 125th anniversary this past Sunday, October 18, bringing community members together inside the landmark building for The Heart of Hackensack: Celebrating 125 Years at the Johnson Public Library.

Sponsored by the Johnson Public Library Foundation—the primary philanthropic organization established in 2025 to secure the institution’s long-term future—the milestone event celebrated more than a century of learning and community connection with an afternoon of food, live performances, and shared stories. The afternoon also featured the first official public reading by local educator and spoken-word artist Toney Jackson in his newly appointed role as Hackensack’s inaugural Poet Laureate, a position recently created by the City Council to champion creative expression, literacy, and local storytelling.

“We are so thankful to celebrate the Johnson Public Library and its 125 years of service to the Hackensack community,” said Tara Marie Cooper, Director of the Johnson Public Library. “On behalf of the entire staff, we thank Hackensack for the opportunity to serve you, and hope that each and every resident visits us to learn about all of the wonderful programs and services that we have to offer.”

Visitors throughout October and November can also experience The Heart of Hackensack art and historical installation at the library, which showcases the institution’s evolution over the decades alongside archival photographs and community memorabilia.

At last Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Councilwoman Sonya Clark-Collins reflected on the library’s deep personal meaning to Hackensack families, recalling her childhood visits and sharing those same programs with her own children.

“Libraries do not thrive by accident. They thrive because people believe in them,” said Councilwoman Clark-Collins. “They thrive because neighbors, businesses, volunteers, and donors recognize that investing in a library is really an investment in our community, our children, and our future.”

“A public library should never be treated as an afterthought—it is the living, breathing heart of a city,” said Mayor Caseen Gaines. “Whether you are a lifelong resident attending a reading from our Poet Laureate, a student learning at the Oritani Center, or a newcomer seeking resources, the Johnson Public Library belongs to you. Our administration is proud to invest in the literary and cultural arts, our public spaces, and the shared future of our City.”

City leadership paired that municipal commitment with major private support to modernize the facility. The library recently opened the lower-level Oritani Teen & Community Center—featuring a dedicated teen room, three study rooms, and a public meeting space—funded in part by a $250,000 gift from the Oritani Charitable Foundation. Originally established in 2006 by Oritani Bank, the independent private foundation continues to reinvest in youth programs, education, and community initiatives across Northern New Jersey.

The City Council has taken decisive action to strengthen library support, reversing a prolonged downward trajectory that preceded the current administration. For over a decade prior to the present Council taking office, additional municipal funding above the state-mandated library minimum had experienced steady cuts, falling from over $1 million annually down to a low of $150,000 in 2025. The current City Council brought that decline to an end, increasing city contributions above 2025 levels to ensure the library remains safe, accessible, and equipped for modern community needs.

Community volunteers have also stepped up to support the library’s reach over the years. Since 2019, the Friends of the Johnson Public Library have raised more than $20,000 to help fund popular local offerings like the Museum Pass and Teen Summer Reading programs. As the independent non-profit group expands its mission, it plans to continue its support for library offerings while broadening its work to support cultural and educational initiatives across Hackensack.

The library’s roots date back to the late 19th century, when local residents first organized to establish a permanent free public library. In 1900, New Jersey State Senator William M. Johnson—a Hackensack resident who also served as President of the New Jersey Senate—brought that vision to life by donating the land, funding the building’s construction, and providing 5,000 books. The library opened its doors at 274 Main Street in 1901, where its original stone structure still stands as the anchor of the campus today.

The City of Hackensack congratulates the Johnson Public Library Foundation, library staff and trustees, and the generations of patrons who continue to keep the library at the heart of the community.