Hackensack Library Marks 125 Years

Hackensack residents gathered at the Johnson Public Library on Sunday, October 18, to mark the institution's 125th anniversary. The event, titled The Heart of Hackensack, featured food, live performances, and storytelling inside the landmark building. It served as a public acknowledgment of more than a century of local service.

The celebration was sponsored by the Johnson Public Library Foundation. This philanthropic group was established in 2025 to secure the library's long-term future. During the afternoon program, Toney Jackson delivered his first official public reading as the city's inaugural Poet Laureate. Hackensack City Council recently created this role to support creative expression and local literacy.

The library opened at 274 Main Street in 1901. It was built on land donated by William M. Johnson, who was then the President of the New Jersey Senate. Johnson also funded the construction and provided 5,000 initial books. Local residents had organized for a free public library in the late 19th century, and the original stone structure remains on the campus today.

City leadership has increased financial support for the facility in recent years. For over a decade before the current administration, city funding above state minimums dropped from over $1 million to $150,000 in 2025. The current City Council has increased contributions to reverse that decline. This funding helps keep the library accessible and equipped for modern needs.

Private donors have also contributed to facility upgrades. The Oritani Charitable Foundation provided a $250,000 gift to help fund the lower-level Oritani Teen & Community Center. This space, which recently opened, includes a dedicated teen room, three study rooms, and a public meeting area. The foundation has supported youth programs across Northern New Jersey since 2006.

Volunteer groups continue to play a role in library programming. The Friends of the Johnson Public Library have raised more than $20,000 since 2019. Those funds support initiatives such as the Museum Pass and Teen Summer Reading programs. The group plans to broaden its work to support cultural efforts across Hackensack.

Visitors can view a historical installation at the library through November. The display, titled The Heart of Hackensack, showcases archival photographs and community memorabilia. It traces the institution's evolution over the last century.