Ocean County Library Breaks New Ground

With ceremonial shovels in hand, Ocean County Commissioners joined with officials from Stafford Township, the state of New Jersey and the Ocean County Library, to celebrate the start of construction on a new state of the art County library branch in Stafford Township. “Today is the result of strong partnerships, working together for a common cause – to bring a new library branch to the southern part of Ocean County that can be enjoyed by all of our residents,” said Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners Joseph H. Vicari, liaison to the Ocean County Library system. “We look forward to the day that we can walk through the doors of this new branch and see the vision of so many talented and creative professionals that brought this to fruition.” Vicari was joined by Stafford Township Mayor Gregory A. Myhre, Chairman of the Ocean County Library Commission Timothy McDonald, Jennifer R. Nelson, New Jersey State Librarian, Director of the Ocean County Library Susan Quinn and a host of representatives from various county, local and state agencies at the ground breaking for the 19,700 square foot branch located at 179 South Main Street. The new building will provide educational resources and community spaces, state of the art technologies, public computers and shelving for 40 to 50 percent more books and materials. The new branch also includes larger areas for children’s programs, an intergenerational space for senior citizens to socialize and enjoy library services, a new teen area, study rooms, maker space for STEAM educational activities, and a sensory space to provide a welcoming environment for people with autism, Alzheimer’s or other sensory processing needs. The Ocean County Library was selected to receive a $4.8 million grant in the second round of funding for the Library Construction Bond Act which allocates $37 million to 36 library projects from 13 counties across New Jersey. The cost of the new branch is almost $9.5 million.