By MADDY VITALE
The Ocean City Free Public Library is not just a library. It is an entertainment and learning center, offering one-stop shopping for patrons with all of its activities, lectures, books and audio books – and it is going to get better.
A renovation project for the second floor has been planned for a while. However, it will take longer than originally thought because library officials are waiting for state funding to help with the cost.
Specifically, the building improvements will consist of an expansion of the young adults section, new furnishings, brighter lighting and more quiet space for study time as well as “maker space” for do-it-yourself types of projects.
Here is a link to the project’s rendering:
https://accessglobal.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/siteimports/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/library-renovation-rendering-2.pdf
Architect William McLees, of William McLees Architecture in Somers Point, is designing the plan to modernize the facility and make it more user-friendly.
Library officials are hoping to secure state grants to help finance the estimated $1.3 million project.
Architect William McLees uses a rendering to show the plans for the renovation in a presentation in 2017.
Karen Mahar, the library director, learned of grants through the Library Construction Bond Act.
"In November of 2017 there was $125 million in matching grant money from the state,” Mahar said of the pool of library money in a June interview. “I looked into it to see if our library could qualify. I was hopeful we would get it.”
Despite a delay in getting any funding, library officials said some things are worth the wait – especially when it could mean a savings for local taxpayers.
“The Library Construction Bond Act was passed in November 2017, but we've been waiting for the regulations to be put in place for how the money would be distributed to libraries,” explained Jennifer Shirk, president of the Ocean City Library Board of Trustees.
"The wait has been frustrating, and as much as we were eager to have our renovation begin, we know we did the right thing in waiting to see if our library is eligible for a portion of that grant money," Shirk added.
President of the Library Board of Trustees Jennifer Shirk, Library Director Karen Mahar and Library Board of Trustees member Ron Denney stop for a photo during an awards ceremony Nov. 14 in which Mahar is honored as a "Woman of Wonder."
Funding for the renovation project will also come from the city’s library tax. The library tax will not increase to finance construction. The city has agreed to bond the project. The library, in turn, would pay back the city for the bonds.
In the meantime, library officials are awaiting publication of the regulations and application process for the state grant money.
“We're still waiting to hear about the application process. But we do know once the application is posted, all libraries will have a 90-day window to apply,” Shirk noted. “Unfortunately, this is all been taking a very long time.”
While the state doesn't have any definitive answers as to why it has taken so long, Shirk thinks she has an idea about why it has been held up.
"I believe there was a little anticipated delay because you had a staff change going on between Gov. Christie and Gov. Murphy," she said. "But I also know there were quite a number of state agencies involved as well, which might have delayed the process."
Shirk said Ocean City officials remain patient and when the renovation is complete, it will really showcase everything the library has to offer its patrons.
For more information visit the Ocean City Free Public Library at www.oceancitylibrary.org or call 609-399-2434. For more information about the funding visit www.njstatelib.org/services_for_libraries/new-jersey-library-construction-bond-act/
