A Note from Mayor Mark Corigliano regarding the Peapack & Gladstone Library

Dear Residents of the Borough,

Recently, a rumor has been spreading around the Borough that the Borough Council is looking to shut down the Peapack branch of the Somerset County Library System (SCLS). This statement is not at all true. However, this rumor did start somewhere, and you should know how and why.

A few Council meetings ago, Councilman Conor Sweeney indicated that he wanted to see the Borough’s relationship with the SCLS discontinued based, at least in part, on the fact that he was not pleased with the content and location of a PRIDE display in the library during the month of June, and one book in particular that was written for teens that was featured as part of that display. The display was in proximity to the children’s reading room. He further indicated a desire to see the Borough’s library either partner with another library or go completely independent, such that its content could (presumably) be controlled by the Borough.

When residents became aware of this, they were understandably concerned and upset given that our Borough library and its staff are beloved by the many residents who make use of its resources. This interest in ending the Borough’s long relationship with the SCLS raised by one Councilmember apparently then morphed into a false rumor that the Borough Council was closing the library. This is simply NOT the case and was never a consideration.

No action will be taken, or even considered to be taken, regarding the library without extensive public input. Moreover, it is my understanding that, even in the very unlikely event that the Mayor & Council were to consider withdrawing from the SCLS, the process would require, at a bare minimum, (1) a formal resolution adopted by a majority of the Borough Council, (2) a full public hearing before the Mayor & Council, and (3) the submission of the question to all Borough residents in a public voter referendum.  

An elected Councilmember has the right to bring certain matters to the attention of the Mayor and Borough Council. This matter was raised by Councilman Sweeney and listed for discussion accordingly.  The discussion of this issue has been deferred until the Council Meeting on September 22, 2026, and all residents are welcome to attend and provide input. The meeting is scheduled to commence at 7:00pm in the Council Room at the Borough Municipal Building.

Yours truly,

Mark A. Corigliano

Mayor