Library may close for two months
Officials say need to close for construction was unexpected
BY MELISSA CIFELLI
Staff Writer

MIGUEL JUAREZ staff The former entrance to the South Brunswick Public Library has been given a new addition as part of an expansion project.

No talking or jackhammers during library hours.Ongoing construction may force the closing of the South Brunswick Public Library for eight weeks this summer.

The decision to temporarily close the library came after a meeting between the Library Board of Trustees and the contractor last week.

Portions of the library will relocate to basement meeting rooms at the municipal building and next door at the new utilities building during indoor renovations, according to Mayor Frank Gambatese. The library may also use space within the high school.

According to Gambatese, who also sits on the library’s board of trustees, the complete closure of the facility for those several weeks will allow construction to move faster without interruptions.

Allowing the library to stay open during construction, Gambatese said, would slow the crews from being finished within the set opening date, something he said is not acceptable.

The board is hoping to have this library expansion phase — the second of three phases — completed by early September, Gambatese said.

While it is inconvenient, Gambatese said, he hopes residents will understand it is necessary for the library additions.

Gambatese said selected reading materials will be moved to those new locations, and patrons may still request items to take out. The bookmobile will also have extended hours to be more accessible for residents, Gambatese said.

The new space, which can hold almost 200 people, is a small area in relation to the library, Gambatese admits.

“But it is better than nothing,” Gambatese said.

Gambatese said he is also unhappy with how the board was not initially informed by their architects on the need to close the library.

“Nobody knew, but we should have been informed,” Gambatese said.

Christopher Carbone, assistant director at the library, said he also had not expected the library to be closed for that long a period. According to Carbone, the library is still working out plans with the township on the closure, but said he is hopeful that its summer reading program will continue as planned.

As for the library’s 24 full-time employees and nearly 30 part-time employees, Carbone said he hopes to continue to use the workers.

According to Gambatese, the library will not lay off any of its full-time employees.

And while the library may not be able to use all of its part-time employees, Gambatese said the town is looking into the possibility of putting workers into different departments, such as parks and recreation. Gambatese said he was not happy with the way things have turned out, but will try to do what is best for the employees.

Many residents are still unaware of the potential closings.

“I use the library a lot,” South Brunswick’s Jan Teague said.

Teague, who said she visits the library approximately three times a week, said it will have an impact on her summer reading. She said she will, however, visit the temporary locations and believes other residents will do the same.

In the end, the construction and closing will be worth it, she said.

The utilities building will be accessible by early June, and reading materials will be moved as quickly as possible, according to Gambatese.

The move is expected to coincide with the contractors’ work on the interior of the building.

Carbone said it was fortunate that the town was able to provide alternate space for library services and asked residents for their patience during the construction process.

According to Carbone, the library will let residents know of changes or closing as soon as details are available.

“In the long run, we’ll have a beautiful library,” Carbone said. “It will be worth it.”

Construction to expand the library began in September 2004. The $4.3 million renovation plan, which was initiated nearly three years ago, will include additions to the rear and side of the library as well as extensive interior renovation.

New work stations will be added at the information and circulation desk as well as in the children’s library.