Ideas Festival at Maplewood Shout Outs

The Maplewood Memorial Library is set to host its 12th annual Ideas Festival from March 12 through 28, marking the first festival since the library's extensive $24 million renovation and reopening in July 2025. ([maplewoodnj.gov](https://www.maplewoodnj.gov/Home/Components/News/News/1179/15?utm_source=openai))

 

This year's festival celebrates Maplewood's rich tapestry of talent and creativity, featuring a diverse lineup of authors, artists, filmmakers, musicians, and civic leaders. ([maplewoodlibrary.org](https://www.maplewoodlibrary.org/library-news-blog/2026/3/6/ideas-festival-2026?utm_source=openai))

 

All events are free and open to the public, underscoring the library's commitment to accessibility and community engagement. ([maplewoodlibrary.org](https://www.maplewoodlibrary.org/library-news-blog/2026/3/6/ideas-festival-2026?utm_source=openai))

 

The festival kicks off on Thursday, March 12, at 4 p.m. with three-time Olympian and Columbia High School alumna Hazel Clark. ([maplewoodlibrary.org](https://www.maplewoodlibrary.org/library-news-blog/2026/3/6/ideas-festival-2026?utm_source=openai))

 

She will present her debut children's book, "Hazel Takes the First Step," aimed at helping young readers develop healthy mindsets around performance and manage anxiety with confidence. ([maplewoodlibrary.org](https://www.maplewoodlibrary.org/library-news-blog/2026/3/6/ideas-festival-2026?utm_source=openai))

 

The event includes a reading, Q&A session, photo opportunities, and a book signing. ([maplewoodlibrary.org](https://www.maplewoodlibrary.org/library-news-blog/2026/3/6/ideas-festival-2026?utm_source=openai))

 

On Monday, March 16, at 4 p.m., Maplewood's own best-selling graphic novelist and illustrator Jay Cooper will lead "The Great Graphic Masterclass." ([maplewoodlibrary.org](https://www.maplewoodlibrary.org/library-news-blog/2026/3/6/ideas-festival-2026?utm_source=openai))

 

This hands-on workshop is designed for children in grades three and up, offering tips and techniques to kickstart their graphic novel ideas. ([maplewoodlibrary.org](https://www.maplewoodlibrary.org/library-news-blog/2026/3/6/ideas-festival-2026?utm_source=openai))

 

Pre-registration is required, with registration opening on March 9 at 10 a.m. ([maplewoodlibrary.org](https://www.maplewoodlibrary.org/library-news-blog/2026/3/6/ideas-festival-2026?utm_source=openai))

 

Later that evening, at 7 p.m., two-time Academy Award-winning costume designer Ann Roth will engage in a conversation with Maplewood native and production designer Jane Musky. ([maplewoodlibrary.org](https://www.maplewoodlibrary.org/library-news-blog/2026/3/6/ideas-festival-2026?utm_source=openai))

 

Roth's illustrious career spans films such as "Midnight Cowboy," "Mama Mia," "Hair," and the Academy Award-nominated "Barbie," in which she also made a cameo at age 91. ([maplewoodlibrary.org](https://www.maplewoodlibrary.org/library-news-blog/2026/3/6/ideas-festival-2026?utm_source=openai))

 

On Tuesday, March 17, at 7 p.m., The New York Times Book Review Editor Gilbert Cruz will discuss books and reading with Features Editor Elisabeth Egan. ([maplewoodlibrary.org](https://www.maplewoodlibrary.org/library-news-blog/2026/3/6/ideas-festival-2026?utm_source=openai))

 

The festival continues with a variety of events, including the Carol Buchanan Award Presentation on Monday, March 23, at 7 p.m., honoring Michelle Bobrow for her outstanding contribution to civic and intellectual life. ([maplewoodlibrary.org](https://www.maplewoodlibrary.org/library-news-blog/2026/3/6/ideas-festival-2026?utm_source=openai))

 

On Friday, March 27, at 7 p.m., in partnership with The Maplewood Film Society, the library will host an exclusive screening of the award-winning documentary "The Librarians." ([maplewoodlibrary.org](https://www.maplewoodlibrary.org/library-news-blog/2026/3/6/ideas-festival-2026?utm_source=openai))

 

The film follows the saga of brave librarians who emerge as first responders in the fight for democracy and First Amendment rights. ([maplewoodlibrary.org](https://www.maplewoodlibrary.org/library-news-blog/2026/3/6/ideas-festival-2026?utm_source=openai))

 

The screening will be followed by a discussion about the film and the wave of alarming book bans sweeping the nation, featuring librarian Martha Hickson and local author Marina Budhos, in conversation with Maplewood Memorial Library Assistant Director Amanda Eigen. ([maplewoodlibrary.org](https://www.maplewoodlibrary.org/library-news-blog/2026/3/6/ideas-festival-2026?utm_source=openai))

 

Tickets are required for this event. ([maplewoodlibrary.org](https://www.maplewoodlibrary.org/library-news-blog/2026/3/6/ideas-festival-2026?utm_source=openai))

 

The festival concludes on Saturday, March 28, at 11 a.m. with "Introducing Female Composers," a Women's History Month celebration featuring a chamber music concert with Jill Sokol on flute, Chris MacDonnell on clarinet, and Andrea Herr on bassoon. ([maplewoodlibrary.org](https://www.maplewoodlibrary.org/library-news-blog/2026/3/6/ideas-festival-2026?utm_source=openai))

 

The concert is sponsored by the Musician Performance Trust Fund of Local 16-248. ([maplewoodlibrary.org](https://www.maplewoodlibrary.org/library-news-blog/2026/3/6/ideas-festival-2026?utm_source=openai))

 

Library Director Sarah Lester expressed enthusiasm for the festival's return, stating, "We're thrilled to host the Ideas Festival once again, this time in our newly renovated Maplewood Memorial Library." ([maplewoodlibrary.org](https://www.maplewoodlibrary.org/library-news-blog/2026/3/6/ideas-festival-2026?utm_source=openai))

 

She emphasized the library's vision of being more than just a repository of books, aiming to serve as a cultural hub where locals and visitors can be inspired, innovate, and create. ([maplewoodlibrary.org](https://www.maplewoodlibrary.org/library-news-blog/2026/3/6/ideas-festival-2026?utm_source=openai))

 

The festival will culminate with the Maplewood Literary Award presented to Bruce Eric Kaplan, a Maplewood native known for his work on shows such as "Seinfeld," "Six Feet Under," "Girls," and as the executive producer and co-showrunner of Netflix's "Nobody Wants This." ([maplewoodlibrary.org](https://www.maplewoodlibrary.org/library-news-blog/2026/3/6/ideas-festival-2026?utm_source=openai))

 

His work has also regularly appeared in The New Yorker, and he is an author of cartoon collections, memoirs, and picture books for both adults and children. ([maplewoodlibrary.org](https://www.maplewoodlibrary.org/library-news-blog/2026/3/6/ideas-festival-2026?utm_source=openai))

 

The event will be held on Thursday, May 21, at 7 p.m., due to Kaplan's shooting schedule. ([maplewoodlibrary.org](https://www.maplewoodlibrary.org/library-news-blog/2026/3/6/ideas-festival-2026?utm_source=openai))

 

The Ideas Festival is sponsored by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Friends of the Maplewood Library, the Maplewood Woman's Club, Maplewood Memorial Library Foundation, and Words Bookstore. ([maplewoodlibrary.org](https://www.maplewoodlibrary.org/library-news-blog/2026/3/6/ideas-festival-2026?utm_source=openai))

 

For the full schedule of Ideas Festival events, visit the Maplewood Memorial Library's website. ([maplewoodlibrary.org](https://www.maplewoodlibrary.org/library-news-blog/2026/3/6/ideas-festival-2026?utm_source=openai))