VILLAS- Freeholder Ralph E. Bakley, Sr., the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Cape May County Library Commission today cut the ribbon officially opening the newly renovated Lower Cape Branch of the Cape May County Library Tues. Sept. 14 at 2600 Bayshore Road.
Bakley said, “An additional 2,600 square feet were added to the facility with improvements totaling close to $2 million to enhance our patrons’ experience.”
The new addition includes a meeting room, reading and study rooms, restrooms and a kitchenette. Many energy saving measures were taken including installing a new HVAC system with a building management system for monitoring and maintenance as well as more energy-efficient lighting.
Other cost and energy saving steps include using recycled content carpeting and vinyl composition tile, the addition of low water fixtures and the use of reflective roof material to reduce heat absorption.
Library Director Deborah Poillon said, “With these renovations, we added more computers, enhanced the teen and children’s rooms, created comfortable reading sections and added more display areas where local artist’s works can be shown.”
“Also, new collections of video games and self-contained audio books have been added along with our extensive book collection,” added Poillon.
She said the branch was the second busiest library in the county. A meeting room is available for community groups.
The library saw 14,000 patrons in August, said Poillon.
Mayor Michael Beck said libraries were “important to the soul of democracy.” He said the price of admission to the library was just a desire to read and learn.
Bakley concluded, “In these hard times, libraries have become more essential to people as they seek access to free education, research, job training opportunities as well as entertainment. And I am glad that our county is effectively providing these services.”
The Lower Cape Branch Library is one of three library branches recently renovated by the Library Commission. Additionally, two new library branches are being built, one in Sea Isle City and the other in Stone Harbor.
Avalon – Eighty percent of working-age Americans have jobs, and the average after-tax income is up almost $4,000 since before the pandemic, significantly outpacing inflation.
