By MADDY VITALE
The Ocean City Free Public Library is on its way to getting a revamped, renovated second floor, complete with comfortable new seating, a larger section for quiet study, upgraded lighting and even a makerspace.
The library’s Board of Trustees met Monday for a regular meeting, where the project that has been on hold for a couple of years was discussed and may be just months from beginning.
A facelift to improve the upper floor has been delayed while library officials continue to try to secure grant money to help fund the roughly $1.6 million project.
Library Director Karen Mahar told the board, in her update on the project, that no matter whether the state grant is approved or not, the hope is that the work will begin soon and be completed in time for Memorial Day weekend.
“It should be by the end of the year,” she said of learning if the grant is approved.
Mahar said that the project architect William McLees indicated that the renovation would take about a few months.
“We can do it in segments and close some portions,” Mahar said of the construction work while keeping the library open.
Since the city has already bonded for the project, Mahar emphasized that the renovations will be done with or without the grand funds.
However, Mahar and other library officials said that they hope the grant is approved since it will provide matching funds.
“We put the funding request in for the second round of the grant,” Mahar explained.
The project initially was expected to cost around $1.3 million, but the latest figure shows the new estimated cost at around $1.6 million.
“We are asking for half of that as a matching grant and hopefully we will hear, but we do plan to move forward,” Mahar noted.
The first grant proposal submitted by Ocean City through the state Library Bond Construction Act was not approved in December 2020 because of competition with other New Jersey libraries for the money. The second grant application was submitted this June.
The library, located at 1735 Simpson Ave., is over 30 years old and for years the hope has been to expand the Young Adult section, which is located in a small area upstairs.
On Monday, Mahar gave a refresher on what the current plans are that make up the renovation.
“We knew we needed to make some changes on the second floor. It is proposed to move the reference desk,” Mahar said.
The reference desk is large and it is situated at the top of the steps. The area would be reconfigured to be more user-friendly for the patrons and employees.
The small area for the Young Adult section would be enlarged. Currently, there is an enclosed area that would be opened up to provide for more room, comfortable seating and shelving.
Coming up the steps where the reference desk currently is will be hardcover books and periodicals. And to the far right will be more shelving, the Young Adult area and a makerspace.
“We are looking to have some sewing machines and 3-D printers,” Mahar added. “It will be a design center.”
The administrative offices will be moved and there will be more seating and quiet space as well as a renovation to the bathrooms.
Board of Trustees Vice President Fred Marcell asked how the study rooms will be signed out to patrons.
“They will be scheduled out online,” Mahar responded. “That is how we are doing the quiet study right now.”
In addition to students and tutors utilizing the quiet space, Mahar noted that more and more patrons are interested in that area because they are working from home.
To learn more about the Ocean City Free Public Library, visit www.oceancitylibrary.org.
