Longport Library Director Ricky Gerhardt scoops some ice cream for a young library patron during the library’s first anniversary celebration.
LONGPORT – On Friday afternoon, Longport Public Library staffers were moving aside bookcases and tables to make room for the public to enjoy song-stylist Gina Roche, who was to perform a free concert for the Longport community at 6 p.m.
“Our big hurdle is that there is just not enough room for us to do community programs,” Library Director Ricky Gerhardt said. “We are exploring ways to fill that void.”
The room is limited to an occupancy of 40 people, which limits the ability of the library to host larger events, he said.
The Board of Trustees of the Borough of Longport Free Public Library Wednesday, Feb. 19 asked the Board of Commissioners to grant it a long-term lease so it can apply for library expansion grant funds.
The board’s strategic plan includes expanding the library to accommodate larger events.
Gerhardt said the trustees want to apply for a state library grant that recently became available to expand the library, but without a long-term lease showing the library has a home for the next 20 years, they would not be eligible to apply for state library funds.
Gerhardt said the library currently does not have a lease, only an interlocal agreement to run the library on city property at Borough Hall that’s renewed each year.
Gov. Phil Murphy announced in January that the NJ Library Construction Bond Act authorized $125 million in bonds to support modernization of library facilities in New Jersey.
“With this funding, libraries across our state will be able to fund critical projects to improve their facilities and ensure a productive and pleasant experience for patrons young and old,” Murphy said in a Jan. 6 press release announcing the availability of grant funds.
The funding will support major building renovations and ADA accessibility upgrades. Eligible projects include acquisition of land for construction of new buildings or expansion of public library buildings.
The bonds were approved in a statewide voter referendum held in 2017 and $87.5 million is available in the first round of funding, with applications due by April 6. Successful applicants would be notified in June. Any library that is not funded could automatically apply for the second round of funding when it becomes available. Grant amounts can range from $50,000 to $12.5 million and require a 50% cash match.
Gerhardt said the trustees have talked about doubling the amount of library space and are considering the possibility of expanding above the existing library footprint. The historic brick building could handle a second-floor expansion in that section of the building, he said.
“Where we are in the building is one of the best areas of Borough Hall,” Gerhardt said.
The building has been plagued with mold issues since last summer. HVAC systems in the Police Department at the back of the building and on the second floor Centennial Room need to be replaced because they have neared the end of their life spans, officials said.
In August, mold was discovered in Commission Chambers and the second-floor Centennial Room, which has since been cleaned up. Wednesday’s meeting was the first time Commission Chambers has been used for a public meeting since it was closed off to the public last fall. However, the room still needs to have new flooring installed. The Centennial Room is also off limits until the HVAC issue is addressed.
As far as using the Centennial Room for a library expansion, Gerhardt said the space would have to be 100% dedicated for library use to qualify for grant funds. The commissioners have yet to decide if they will spend up to $500,000 or more to upgrade HVAC at the rear of the brick building.
The library board has reserved some funding to hire an architect to review and design an addition above the library’s existing footprint, Gerhardt said.
“This hasn’t happened in the last 20 years so it’s a very unique opportunity,” Gerhardt said about the availability of expansion grant funds.
Borough Solicitor Michael Affanato said he would like to work out the details of a lease before agreeing to it.
“We need to have the borough say there will be a place for the library for the next 20 years at 2305 Atlantic Ave.,” Gerhardt said.
Mayor Nicholas Russo said an ad hoc committee of residents that he formed to help the commissioners determine the direction the borough should take in deciding whether to repair or replace Borough Hall discussed the importance of having a library in the municipal building.
He said libraries have changed over the years and are no longer just a place to read or do research. They have become an integral part of the community and can provide a space for activities ranging from movies to children’s events, concerts, and more, he said.
“I understand this, and we should give it the consideration it deserves,” Russo said.
Commissioner Dan Lawler said the current commission advocated to have its own library and the community in a referendum supported withdrawing from the Atlantic County Library System in favor of starting their own public library. The impetus for the referendum was to expand programming and have a place to enjoy public events.
“I have no problem saying we want the library here for 20 years,” Lawler said.
Gerhardt likened the library lease to the Longport Historical Society Museum which enjoys a 25-year lease for the former Coast Guard Station building the borough owns next door to Borough Hall.
Gerhardt said there are many libraries seeking grant funds, including Stone Harbor, Sea Isle City and Ocean City, which are similar shore communities with populations that grow exponentially in summer.
Affanato said he would have something for the commissioners to approve at their next meeting on March 18.
