Renovated Lower Library Branch Set to Reopen

VILLAS – A larger, more modern Lower Cape Branch Library at 2600 Bayshore Rd. will reopen July 28.
The building was enlarged from 7,680 square feet to 10,170 square feet by building an addition. The building, built in 1982, is now accessible for those with physical disabilities and has new shelving, seating, and lighting in all areas including the young adult section, children’s area, media areas and reading room.
The addition to the building includes a new 776 square foot public meeting room with a small kitchen and restrooms. A new heating and cooling system has been installed, the parking lot enlarged and repaved and the driveway it shares with Township Hall widened and reconfigured.
The branch has been described as a 21st century library.The improved library branch offers more computers for patrons, Wi-Fi throughout the building, two study rooms, and enhanced children’s and young adult sections.
While the library was closed for six months, a temporary location was opened in a storefront near the North Cape May Acme. On Wed., July 21, workers were busy placing all the books removed from the library back on the shelves.
Branch Head Edward Carson said the library has been rearranged which complicates returning the 50,000 books to new shelves. He described the old library as cramped.
Carson described the library’s contents as a more up-to-date and usable collection. While futurists predict the end of the printed books replaced by reading device such as the Kindle, Carson said he personally believed libraries would be around for some time.
He noted a printed book would still be readable in 100 years while current electronic technology for books could change in the next five years. Carson said the library has trusted authoritative works such as the Encyclopedia Britannica and the Physicians’ Desk Reference which may be more reliable than online sources.
A site like Wikipedia can be a starting point for more research, said Carson. He said librarians are able to point patrons to sources for information they seek.
“The nature of librarian work for public libraries has evolved and changed although there are areas that remain constant,” said Carson. “People still want books to read, they still want entertainment reading, they still have their favorite authors…”
He said the library has assisted persons in filling out online applications for jobs and claims for unemployment. The economic downturn brings people to the library for a number of reasons, said Carson.
This year the state did not issue income tax forms at post offices which brought more patrons to the library for forms. A famous librarian quote: “Libraries will get you through periods of no money more than money will get you through periods of no libraries.”
The reference section is smaller because it is no longer necessary to keep bound copies of statistics because they are available online, said Carson.
The branch shares books not only with other Cape May County branches but has the ability to obtain books from libraries throughout the nation, he said.
Carson said he has obtained books on loan from libraries as far as away as California and Canada.
“I don’t have to cram everything into the Lower Cape Branch,” he said.