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June 18, 2009

Perth Amboy has no choice but to reclaim its public library

Mycentraljersey.com
Editorial

June 16, 2009

Perth Amboy's public library is both a source of pride and a source of shame for inhabitants of this city by Raritan Bay. Reknowned for its historic roots — philanthropist Andrew Carnegie put up the classic structure in 1903 — the library regretably was neglected to the point that today it is a building on life support. Blame it all on past city officials, most notably former mayor Joseph Vas - he who now faces federal criminal indictment — for repeatedly promising to address the library but instead offering nothing better than empty words. He had no plan, no vision — only excuses.

Thankfully, Perth Amboy Mayor Wilda Diaz is different. In fact, she made it a stated priority upon entering office to preserve and revive this magnificent edifice, pledging to reclaim it in September of last year: "The library is so important. Nothing would make me happier in my term than to get the library done. It is a development of the mind."

And of Perth Amboy itself.

So Diaz and the City Council set out to see if the one-of-a-kind building could be salvaged. To do it, they spent $30,000 to hire a consultant to study the structure and guide its fate. It was money well spent and last week the council got some answers. It was good news. Real good news. Despite all of the library's numerous ailments — leaks and drafts, cracked walls and ceilings, even creeping mold — architect Dennis Kowal told city officials that their beloved library is structurally sound, meaning it is well worth the effort to fix and improve it. There is a down side, as one might expect, and that is the cost of the required work, what Kowal the consultant said could approach $9 million, cash that Perth Amboy doesn't have — at least not now, nor is it likely to in the near future. Still, there are ways.

Perth Amboy is in no position to furnish that kind of loot on its own. Less than wealthy to begin with, its municipal coffers have been drained of resources by the continuing recession and the rising cost of all manner of required government services. Topping it all off, the city is struggling to pay for the final stage of construction on its massive public safety complex, the now nearly $90 million edifice — some $45 million over its original budget — conceived and later mismanaged by Vas.

Saddled by those expenses, Perth Amboy officials nonetheless aren't entirely at a loss. Like many towns that have replaced or refurbished their libraries, Perth Amboy is able to call on the always generous public — when it recognizes there is a true need — through a simple fund-raising campaign. Sure, more is needed. One option is corporate donations. Again, that source wouldn't begin to cover the entire tab, but could be a piece. Then there is Perth Amboy's biggest advantage: the historic nature of its library should qualify it for historic preservation grants, perhaps through the state. Kowal also mentioned energy grants for conservation improvements to the library.

Cobbling together all those funding sources, plus minimal borrowing by the city itself, could make the project feasible, if not now than in a couple of years.

No one disputes it isn't essential.

Library chiefs say there is demand for a larger children's section, additional shelf space, quiet study areas, and community meeting rooms — the sorts of amenities routinely found in other towns. The library also must be made to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Right now, it doesn't. And libraries have never been more essential than today, given their power to educate and re-educate tomorrow's and today's citizens and work force.

Thousands of Perth Amboy residents depend upon the library for its all-important services — services that are unique and available nowhere else within the city. This must be done, no matter how long or what collection of methods the process might take.

Posted by tumulty at June 18, 2009 8:50 PM

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