New Jersey has municipal libraries in about 245 communities, according to Tumulty, who said municipalities are mandated to fund them according to a state formula that works out to about $33 in taxpayer funds for every $100,000 of a home's value.

In some municipalities like Newark, the formula does not generate enough money to keep the library system fully funded. Additional money is raised from private donors, grants and other municipal allocations.

However, shortfalls in Newark and elsewhere are now causing many libraries to cut back hours, days of operation, book budgets or staff positions.

The Newark Public Library's Board of Trustees held a special meeting today to discuss the possibility of closing its Roseville Branch -- in operation since 1924 -- or cut back elsewhere in the system. They eventually resolved to keep the branch open, pending further review of the city's 2009 budget.

"I don't think there's anyone who doesn't understand the situation the nation is in, or the city of Newark," board trustee Trish Morris-Yamba said. "It's difficult, we know what we want -- to keep the libraries open and improve on them -- but we have the budget we're given."

Eloisa Morales, a clerk at the Roseville library, said the 50 or so patrons they serve each day -- from children in the after-school homework help club to adults who come in for job search assistance -- view the library as a lifeline.

"If they lose this library, it might have a ripple effect in this community," Morales said.

Library closings are also being considered in Bridgeton and Bayonne.

And Trenton's library system was due to close its neighborhood branches before being granted a reprieve by the state in November. It had to agree to cut hours, lay off workers and trim its budget by 10 percent.

In Philadelphia, a recent move by the mayor to shutter 11 public library branches drew sharp criticism. And a judge ruled Tuesday that the mayor didn't have the authority to close the libraries without the city council's approval.

William Dressel, executive director of the New Jersey League of Municipalities said libraries serve an important community service, but their mandated funding formula is hurting many communities that need more flexibility in tight economic times.

"When municipalities have to decide between health services, picking up garbage, sanitation issues, or life-and-death services like fire and police, it's difficult," he said. "If every service got its fair share of dollars, we wouldn't be having these discussions."