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November 5, 2009

Swedesboro Branch Library breaks ground for 3,000-foot addition

NJ.COM

Friday, October 30, 2009
By Jessica Driscoll
jdriscoll@sjnewsco.com
SWEDESBORO The Gloucester County Library System and the borough broke ground Thursday to expand the Swedesboro Branch Library which serves more than 10,000 residents in Swedesboro and Woolwich Township.

The library which is currently 2,500-square-feet needs space for programs and special events, a larger children's area, a meeting room for the community, additional space for audiobooks, DVDs and CDs, more computers to meet the demands of the public and more seating.

A 3,000-square-foot addition will be added to the existing building which has housed the library since 1944. The Swedesboro Library is one of the oldest in the state, founded in 1783, and had several homes in its history.

"It's another great day in Swedesboro and what makes this day so special are the efforts of the Friends of the Library that have brought us to this point," said Mayor Thomas Fromm. "We appreciate that you stood up for this town and its need for the library."

"All the effort that has been made to see this come to fruition is to be admired," said Christopher Powell, chair of the Gloucester County Library Commission. "This is one of the oldest libraries in the New Jersey Library system and it is certainly time for an expansion.

The new addition will be on two floors because of limited space at the current site and the upper floor will be level with the main floor of the library. The rear wall will be removed to create a clear view of the new space from the library's entrance on Kings Highway and the rear wall of the addition will have a large picture window for natural light. An elevator and stairwell will lead to the lower level of the addition which will include the meeting room, new restrooms, a new HVAC system, a mechanical room for the elevator, a kitchen and room for a community art exhibit. An exterior exit from the lower level will be handicapped-accessible and will lead to the rear parking lot. The existing mezzanine of the library will be used for storage, the current circulation desk will be expanded and furniture for additional computers will be provided.

Cost estimates for the rebuilding total $902,456, including $823,662 for construction and $78,794 for shelving, equipment and furniture.

"This is a wonderful thing to happen for Swedesboro," said Associate State Librarian Tina Keresztury. "A library is the heart and cornerstone of a community and it's going to do so much for the town."

Posted by tumulty at November 5, 2009 6:11 PM

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