The long central section of the library provides a skylight open space for quiet reading and research. Videos and books on tape are in high demand, along with bestsellers, investment, travel and college quides, cookbooks, classics and special collections, careers, and large-print books. A periodical computer service instantly provides full articles from The Record newspaper, the New York Times, Moody's Directory, and 300 magazines. Youth service's remains an area of special pride in Mahwah. The Children's Room provides an excellent orientation to the joys of reading through storytelling, reading clubs, contests, shows, and the opportunity to select from 24,000 children's books.
Young adults have their own summer reading club and volunteer program.
Nationwide searches for books and articles and access to nonpublic holdings, including medical specialties, are available through the Highlands Regional Library Cooperative. The Academy is presently under renovation and construction. An addition to the main building will double its size and enhance the Public Safety training. Completion target date is late 1999. Through the introduction of many innovative courses, the Academy is constantly updating its cirricula to meet the changing needs of the community.