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February 13, 2009

E. Greenwich library merges with county

Gloucester County Times

Friday, February 13, 2009
By Pete McCarthy
pmccarthy@sjnewsco.com
EAST GREENWICH TWP. The township's library on Kings Highway has joined up with five other branches that are already part of Gloucester County's regional system.

The move was announced Thursday and is expected to save East Greenwich close to $45,000 each year.

"In this economy our libraries are seeing unprecedented use," said Freeholder Joe Chila.

By joining the Gloucester County Library System, the East Greenwich branch will be able to offer better hours and more services.

"It was very difficult, especially in this economy," said branch manager Carol Baughman. "We have a fund-drive every year, but you just outgrow your resources. It became more work than we could handle."

Before this move, the library was partially funded by the township and county, but was operated by an independent association of trustees. They relied on bake sales and other fundraisers throughout the year to help balance the budget.

The county is expected to spend close to $57,000 to cover personnel costs and another $71,500 Ð including about $30,000 for upgrades Ð in operating expenses.

All six library employees will remain under this agreement. The county will lease the building from the township's school district for $1 a year.

"It makes for a stronger library in East Greenwich," said Bob Wetherall, director of the county library system. "It provides better services to the residents and it strengthens the county library system."

The library on Kings Highway opened 10 years ago and is situated inside an old school building. For 35 years, it was operated out of somebody's house.

"We're just delighted," Baughman said of the merger. "We'll be able to provide more programs because we'll have more in our budget."

One of the benefits of joining the system is that the library will be open an additional 13 hours each week.

The library is now open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Posted by tumulty at February 13, 2009 6:08 AM

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