The Burlington County Library System has received a $685,000 state grant to support a major redesign of the Pemberton Community Library to improve community access to work, education and health services.

The Community Center Digital Connect grant was awarded to the Burlington County Library System by the New Jersey State Library. The grant is one of 19 awarded statewide.

“The Burlington County Library System was the first of its kinds in New Jersey to be established by a county and more than a century after its founding it continues to evolve to better serve our residents and their varied needs,” said Burlington County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson. “This Community Center Digital Connect grant will support modernizing the Pemberton Library so it continues to be a trusted resource for all users ranging from local school children and seniors to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst service members and their families.”

The Community Center Digital Connect grant is funded through New Jersey’s federal Capital Projects Fund to address critical needs that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants can support construction or improvements to buildings that directly support employment, education and health monitoring.

The Pemberton Community Library, located on Broadway in Browns Mills, opened in 2001 in a building constructed as a replacement for both the previously separate Browns Mills and Pemberton Borough libraries. This will be the library’s first major improvement since its opening.

Plans call for several areas in the 18,000 square-foot building to be reconfigured to better serve residents. Among the planned changes are:

• The construction of two small-group meeting rooms that will also be used for one-to-one consultations with library staff and community experts, telehealth appointments, virtual job interviews and other on-site or virtual meetings.
• The construction of a new technology lab that will host programs, learning opportunities, technology classes and library users pursing personal learning goals.
• The merger of the existing teen room and an adjacent tech lab to create a teen tech lounge to expand their access to library and partner resources.
• The redesign and repurposing of the current reference desk area to create a centrally-located reference/circulation services point featuring public-access computers, lounge seating and general use work tables.

“The library’s redesigned spaces will allow services to expand to serve more people and will enable staff to partner with local community organizations to provide additional employment and health services, job information sessions, career support, and telehealth offerings,” said Burlington County Library System Director Ranjna Das. “We anticipate working with partners like Virtua Health, Deborah Heart and Lung Center, CAMcare, Goodwill Industries of Southern New Jersey, ASPIRE Youth, America Works to make this library a community resource for all residents.”

Burlington County Library System also received a $1 million state appropriation secured for the by New Jersey Senator Troy Singleton for improvements to four of the libraries.

The Pemberton Library will utilize $250,000 for additional improvements that include the redesign of the children’s room with new furnishings, reading nooks and a play area for children and their parents, grandparents and caregivers. There will also an area for older children to participate in library activities and programs.

The remaining $750,000 will fund renovations to the Burlington County Library in Westampton and the library system’s Cinnaminson and Evesham branches.

“Libraries are more than just a place to find books. They are pillars of our communities that serve as repositories of knowledge and as locations where residents can connect to an assortment of resources,” said Senator Singleton. “We want all of Burlington County libraries to be modernized and equipped to meet residents’ needs. I’m excited to see the improvements planned in Pemberton, Westampton, Cinnaminson and Evesham and I’m thrilled to hear the State Library is also providing additional support for Pemberton.”

Photo: The Pemberton Community Library at 16 Broadway in Browns Mills will undergo major renovations this summer with support from a $685,000 Community Center Digital Connect grant was awarded to the Burlington County Library System by the New Jersey State Library.