The Young Adult section will be expanded.
The Ocean City Free Public Library is a hub of activity for all ages, providing an array of reading materials, study space, in-person and virtual programming.
The library was built in 1990 and was expanded in 2008, but has not been renovated since then, officials said. In 2016, the initial plan was to expand and improve the second floor.
But the project was stalled while the library unsuccessfully sought state funding to offset the estimated $1.3 million cost over the past few years. The city had already bonded for the project, so it can move forward, despite not receiving additional state funding.
Since then, officials have tweaked plans to improve the popular facility. On Monday, during a library Board of Trustees meeting, Somers Point-based architect William McLees gave a presentation on a project to improve and modernize the building.
There would be the initial plan to expand the Young Adult section and a maker space for do-it-yourself projects, But the project has grown to include more areas for quiet space.
There is even talk of expanding the library to the atrium, which is in front of its entrance. In addition, there would be updated furnishings, flooring and lighting, among other updates. The overall plan is to make the building more user-friendly and modernize it, library officials said.
“The most significant impact we are looking at is using the atrium in front of the library,” McLees said, explaining that the library could display periodicals in that area. “It gives us some more space.”
McLees said that the project has been in the works for quite some time and has “evolved” over time.
He added that in addition to the time it took to find out the library wasn’t getting state funding, the COVID-19 pandemic also stalled the project.
But now, McLees emphasized that the project would help satisfy space issues.
Here is a screenshot of the plans. (Plans courtesy William McLees Architecture) He also said the plan is about efficiency and how to use the space that the building has effectively. Once the project is approved, then it can go out to bid, officials said.
Library Board of Trustees President Jennifer Shirk said there is a strategic plan in place and there will still be some discussions, specifically with members of the trustees who are on the Buildings and Grounds committee, before anything is finalized.
“Until we really know what is involved and what can be done, we don’t know a price of the entire project yet,” Shirk pointed out.
She explained that the board is paying $115,000 for a second strategic plan to incorporate changes or tweaks to the plans.
“I feel like we have done our due diligence to offer the community what it wants,” she said.
OCFPL Director Karen Mahar said that there are many aspects of the proposed modernized library, specifically when it comes to more room for programming.
“We have off the charts programming," Mahar said, adding that there is a definite need for more effective use of space.
"We are adding the study rooms,” Mahar continued. “Even before COVID, we knew we had to add it. People need that quiet space.”
Mahar, Shirk and Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian have been in discussions about the project since 2016, and just this past week about the tweaks to the plans.
“We have talked about this a lot,” Mahar said, noting that they have all been in agreement about the needed improvements.
For more information about the Ocean City Free Public Library visit oceancitylibrary.org.
