WEST ORANGE, NJ — Say goodbye to the West Orange Public Library – for now.

Last week, the library board voted to close the facility at 46 Mount Pleasant Avenue to the public beginning Feb. 1 in order to prepare for the move to its new location at 10 Rooney Circle, which is still under construction.

Library staff will be available by phone for questions about accounts and materials, administrators said.

“Although we will be sad to vacate the home that West Orange has enjoyed since 1959, we are excited to begin our next chapter at a new location that is more accessible to the greatest number of residents and designed to carry us far into the 21st century,” board members and staff said in a joint statement.

“We are sorry for the inconvenience and we look forward to seeing you in the future; please look for announcements on our website and social media for information about our grand reopening,” administrators added.

According to board and staff, here’s what to know if you’re a visitor or patron of the library.

• REOPENING – “The [library] will reopen at 10 Rooney Circle upon completion of the construction project. We anticipate a late spring completion.”
• DIGITAL ACCESS – “This will not affect your access to any digital resources during our closure. In fact, we have increased electronic resources during this time period. https://www.wopl.org/digital-resources.”
• DELIVERY NEARBY – “We have made arrangements with libraries in neighboring communities to ensure your access to materials and resources. While we are closed, you will be able to choose delivery of materials to any of the other 76 libraries in the Bergen County Cooperative Library System (BCCLS) consortium. Please don’t forget to bring your library card when using other libraries.”
• OTHER ACCESS – “If you have a REBL sticker on your card, you will also be able to use any library including university libraries in Essex County. Public library law in New Jersey requires that access to computer use shall be available free of charge to any member of the public.”

MOVING A LIBRARY: WHY IS IT NEEDED?

The new library was a key bargaining chip in a major redevelopment project at 100 and 200 Executive Drive and 10 Rooney Circle that took shape during the pandemic. Read More: See Plans For The Proposed New Library In West Orange

In 2021, speaking about the proposed new library, board members made two major arguments in its favor. The first? Local residents were seeking out better options, they said:

“Due to its current decentralized location, decaying building with limited square feet and lack of adequate parking, local residents are increasingly bypassing the West Orange library, instead choosing to visit alternative library options in neighboring towns with more modernized and well-resourced facilities. In fact, a recent survey conducted by library staff found that out of the 47,000 West Orange residents, 37,000 have active library cards, yet 22 percent chose to check out books at neighboring libraries — far exceeding the 5 to 10 percent average among the 77 libraries included in the Bergen County Cooperative Library System, to which the library belongs.”

Trustees said there was another reason to root for the redevelopment plan to succeed: the new building would be partly funded by a $3.1-million grant from the New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act. Read More: West Orange Library Expected To Get Big Boost From State Funds

On its website, the library provides links to several resources about the new facility, including:

According to library administrators – who have created an information packet supporting the move – here are some other factors to keep in mind.

“Better Location”:

• Geographically centered in the township, more convenient for residents
• Jitney service
• Close to ShopRite

“Green Environment”:

• Ample parking for 300+ vehicles (present library 32 spaces)
• Some space can be reclaimed for trees and garden beds
• Outdoor space for “Black Box” theater
• Utilization of an existing building

“Bigger, Better, Healthier Space/Environment”:

• New HVAC and ductwork system for best indoor air quality
• Main programming room capacity doubles to 160 seats and is available when library is closed (separate outside entrance)
• 28% increase in usable, flexible space
• Safe location for outdoor programming
• Children’s area is 2.5 times larger with dedicated programming room
• Teen space is 4 times larger with space for study, collaboration, and more YA books
• Quiet study rooms quadruple from 1 to 4, conference room increase from 0 to 2
• New furniture throughout, upgraded and comfortable with device charging capability
• Instructional space for ESOL/Lifelong Learning Literacies classes
• Separate room for server and IT services
• Separate room for West Orange Historical Archives

“Improved, Additional Technology”:

• Conference, meeting, and programming rooms with technology for information-rich and interactive presentations
• Upgraded wiring, wi-fi, intercom, and security systems
• Laptops for checkout throughout library
• Online instruction and virtual classes
• Backup generator in event of power outages

The new location is expected to have a “high return on investment,” administrators say:

“Our Library Construction Bond Act Grant (approved 11/9/20) provides $3,098,217, matched by township’s partnerships with private developers of $2.5 million, and $598,217 of funds that have already been approved by the town council for use at 46 Mt. Pleasant will be applied to complete the full needs of $6.2 million project. These funds cannot be used for any other facility including our present library.”

“Averaging 160,000 annual visits, [the library] will benefit Essex Green Shopping Mall including ShopRite as an anchor,” administrators say. “We anticipate that with a more central location, better amenities, more usable space and more parking that these numbers will increase.”

“With the 46 Mt. Pleasant Avenue being developed for 65 affordable senior housing units with a 7,500 square foot community center with branch library services, the project is a win-win for West Orange,” administrators conclude.

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Originally Appeared Here