Mary Jacobs Neighborhood Library To Close Next Year

ROCKY HILL, NJ — The Mary Jacobs Neighborhood Library in Rocky Hill will be closing sometime next year due to financial reasons.

The library at 64 Washington St. in Rocky Hill has been run cooperatively by the borough of Rocky Hill, the Mary Jacobs Foundation, and the Somerset County Library System of New Jersey (SCLSNJ) since May 13, 2023.

In Somerset County, library buildings are provided and maintained by the hosting town. However, Library Director Brian Auger said the SCLSNJ took on the project under a two-year agreement to look at the usage data that would drive any plans beyond those initial two years.

"As the contract reaches its completion, our experience does not support keeping this facility open. It is not fiscally responsible to continue operations for the handful of residents who use it exclusively," said Auger.

The costs of maintaining the building have exceeded the funds set aside for the library causing it to cease operations before May, "since it cannot use taxpayer funds to manage or maintain properties it does not own," according to Auger.

The Mary Jacobs Foundation provided this statement, "The Mary Jacobs Foundation is so proud to have worked to provide a beautifully renovated space for library services in Rocky Hill and thanks SCLSNJ for partnering with us to provide those services."

Mayor Bob Uhrik of Rocky Hill said, "Rocky Hill Borough remains committed to facilitating any and all efforts to preserve a library within Rocky Hill Borough that is walkable, sustainable, and community oriented."

"Closing a library is not a thing we take lightly - even when you have all the metrics and data telling you the usage is unsustainable," said Auger who welcomed Rocky Hill residents to visit one of their other Library branches in Somerset County.

An update will be shared in early January 2025 announcing a final date of service for the Mary Jacobs Library.

All questions about the status of the building should be directed to the Mary Jacobs Foundation or Borough of Rocky Hill officials, who are stewards of the facility.

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