JERSEY CITY, NJ — A major branch of the Jersey City Public Library shut suddenly last month due to the failure of its heating, cooling, and ventilation systems. Now, more than 1,000 people have signed a petition saying officials should come up with a solution as soon as possible.
"The Jersey City Free Public Library has made the difficult decision to temporarily close the Five Corners Branch due to the failure of the building's original heating, cooling, and ventilation systems, which can no longer be repaired or maintained through temporary solutions," the library system said in a statement in July.
"For years, JCFPL has invested in short-term measures to keep the branch open, but those efforts are no longer sustainable. Because the building also requires environmental remediation before major repairs can be made, a long-term solution is necessary."
The building, in a historic section of Journal Square where five roads meet, will still have a bookmobile outside, the staff said.
The Petition
The petition, "Save Five Corners Library," had received more than 1,200 signatures by Friday.
It says, "Social infrastructure—especially public libraries—is an essential means of fighting inequality, building civic trust, and uplifting communities. The Five Corners Branch is an important site of local infrastructure: a welcoming, safe, and democratic 'third space' for individuals and families from all backgrounds, incomes, and circumstances.
"From longtime Jersey City residents to new Americans, Five Corners has long served as a refuge, a cultural hub, and a place to discover knowledge....The neighborhood already has too few places for residents to gather, connect, and build community."
The neighborhood is near the Journal Square transit station and numerous luxury towers rising in the area. But those are largely private spaces.
"We acknowledge the serious infrastructure challenges detailed in your recent announcement," the petition says. "However, we cannot allow a vital public asset to be lost to disinvestment or neglect. Closing this branch without a fully activated, transition plan for a brick-and-mortar at the same site strips our neighborhood of services that are quite literally survival essentials."
The library administrators said they were exploring options "for a new permanent home," but did not give a timeline.
A spokesman for Mayor James Solomon said last month, "The mayor and his leadership team are working closely with JCFPL leadership to find a solution for the Journal Square community. Decisions like closing a branch are difficult, but JCFPL leadership are making the best decision for patrons and their staff given the condition of the build. JCFPL will keep the community updated."
The city is currently struggling with budget issues, and recently passed a $886 million spending plan with a 15 percent tax increase.
The Jersey City announcement came the same day as an announcement from the Hoboken Library that its main branch would be shut for renovations for nearly two months, with one floor shut for a year.
The petition can be found here.
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