New Stafford Library Gets A Step Closer To Becoming Reality

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — With a construction company being hired for the anticipated new Ocean County Library Stafford Branch, the long-awaited library is one step closer to becoming a reality.

On April 5, the Ocean County Board of Commissioners awarded a contract to Newport Construction Management Corp, Pennsauken, to construct the 19,700 square foot branch, which will be located at 179 South Main Street in Manahawkin.

“I am pleased to announce that we are close to getting construction underway on this new state of the art library facility,” said Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners Joseph H. Vicari, liaison to the Ocean County Library. “This new county library branch in Stafford Township will provide our residents with a larger facility that supports the area’s population growth.”

The contract cost is $9,488,700. Ocean County has received a grant from the New Jersey State Library Construction Bond in the amount of $4,824,000 toward the project. This project, like other library facilities, is a joint project between Stafford Township and the County.

“This new branch in Stafford replaces an aging facility,” Vicari said. “Relocating it to 179 Main Street, which is south of its current location on North Main Street, also brings it closer to existing county government services. In a county as large as Ocean County, accessibility to programs and services is important.”

A wide variety of resources are planned for the new facility. It will offer educational resources and community space, as well as state of the art technologies, public computers and shelving for 40 to 50 percent more books and materials.

It also includes larger areas for children’s programs, an intergenerational space for senior citizens to socialize and enjoy library services, a new teen area, study rooms, maker space for STEAM educational activities, and a sensory space to provide a welcoming environment for people with autism, Alzheimer’s or other sensory processing needs.

“We all look forward to the day when the new building is completed and our residents can access this new branch,” said Timothy McDonald, Chairman of the Ocean County Library Commission. “This project has been a priority on our facilities plan for a number of years.”

The new branch will be constructed on property owned by Ocean County on Route 9 at the Ocean County Southern Service Center location.

In anticipation of building a new library branch there the County has already extended a water main to the site and drainage. Parking at the site will be reconfigured to meet the needs of all the services sharing the complex.

The new Stafford Library branch will be a 19,700 square foot standalone building which will be 65 percent larger than the current building on North Main Street.

“We deeply appreciate the work of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners, the Stafford Township Mayor and Council, the Library Commission, the state Library Construction Bond, the library staff and the County staff as we all work together to bring the best services and programs to the residents,” said Ocean County Library Director Susan Quinn. “This new building holds an exciting future for all of us at the Ocean County Library.”