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September 1, 2010

Upper Township's library branch to celebrate its makeover Sept. 8

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By CAITLIN DINEEN, Staff Writer | Posted: Wednesday, September 1, 2010

The Upper Township Branch of the Cape May County Library system is open again after it was closed for seven months for renovations and improvements.

The upgrades - which cost a total of $980,000 - may not be noticeable from the outside, but library patrons visiting the newly renovated site will notice all the big changes once they get inside.

"It was really a gloomy, dark building," said Deborah Poillon, adding that new lighting was among several changes made to the interior of the library.

The Upper Township branch of the library system has been in operation since 1985 and is located on Tuckahoe Road in Petersburg. It reopened in July.

A ribbon-cutting event will be held 2 p.m. Sept. 8 at the library.

Other changes at the library include a new teen center, glass around the reference room, and making the building more energy efficient. The building will convert to gas heat from electric when a gas line is brought down the street, Poillon said. New furniture also has been brought into the updated space, as well as new counters. System officials said the updates were necessary.

Library staff said public response to the improvements has been positive. "They love it," said Deanna Petitt, who has worked at the library for 25 years, adding patrons have commented on the brightness of the library and the new counters. "They love the counters."

Petitt said that although the library's upgrades mainly serve patrons, library staff also appreciate the result.

"We love it, it's awesome," she said. "What's not to like about it? It's all brand new."

Poillon said changes are necessary because local libraries are a central hub for residents.

She said the Upper Township library's patronage has increased 18 percent from 2007 to 2009. She said more residents are using the library's Internet access, and DVD and CD libraries.

Poillon said she thought library traffic increased because the economy is poor and the library is offering more regular, free programs.

"We wanted to make it a place people wanted to come," Poillon said, adding that the library used to be "a little shabby."

Other libraries in the system - including the Lower Township branch, which reopened July 28 - have undergone renovations. The Sea Isle City library renovations broke ground last week.

Poillon said renovations for the library are paid for by a combination of bonded funds and taxpayer dollars.

Contact Caitlin Dineen:

609-463-6710

Posted by tumulty at September 1, 2010 7:44 AM

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