Lacey Marks 50th Anniversary Of Library Joining County System

LACEY, NJ — Lacey Township officials issued a proclamation honoring the 50th anniversary of the Lacey Library joining the Ocean County Library System, marking a milestone that local leaders said reflects decades of service to township residents.

Mayor Steven Kennis read the proclamation during a township meeting. The measure states that library services in Lacey Township began in 1925 in the home of Julia B. Fouche and continued to grow through volunteers, librarians and community supporters serving residents from several locations in town.

The proclamation says the Friends of the Lacey Library were established in 1974 to advocate for expanded library services. It also states that in December 1976, through a partnership involving the township of Lacey, the Friends of the Lacey Library and the Ocean County Library Commission, the Lacey Library officially became a branch of the Ocean County Library System.

According to the proclamation, joining the county system brought expanded hours, increased staffing, enhanced collections, improved facilities and greater educational and cultural opportunities for residents of Lacey Township. The proclamation also notes the opening of the current East Lacey Road facility in 1992 and says the branch has remained a community cornerstone by promoting literacy, lifelong learning, access to information and programs for residents of all ages.

In the proclamation, Kennis said the mayor and township committee “recognize and commend the Ocean County Library, the friends of the Lacey Library, library leadership, staff, volunteers, and patrons whose dedication over the past 50 years has made the Lacey branch an invaluable community resource.”

A library representative accepted the recognition at the meeting and said, “Thank you so much to the Township of Lacy for this wonderful recognition for an incredible milestone. On behalf of the Lacey branch of the Ocean County Library, we proudly accept this proclamation. It's been an honor to serve the Lacey community for these 50 wonderful years.”

Committeeman Tim McDonald, a member of the Ocean County Library Commission also praised the branch during the meeting, saying, “Lacey Library is one of the best libraries that we have.”

“It's one of the best run libraries we have. We never have a problem down there. They're wonderful to work with,” McDonald said.