The Montclair Public Library’s cooling system is fully functional, with a new chiller, boilers and smart thermostats, officials announced during a ceremonial check presentation from PSE&G recognizing the library’s participation in the utility’s energy efficiency program. The smart thermostat on the third floor read 74 degrees.
“This means people coming to the library and wanting to use the children’s room will not see a sign that it’s closed because of the heat,” said Library Director Radwa Ali. “And that happens so many times. There’s an entire community that the library’s their lifeline.”
Nearly 40% of the library’s $1.9 million modernization effort to upgrade its HVAC is being covered through incentives from PSE&G, officials said. It amounts to nearly $750,000, officials said. The rest is coming out of a bond issue approved by the Township Council earlier this year.
