South Brunswick Library Awarded $3.5M From Construction Bond Act

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — The South Brunswick Public Library (SBPL) recently received $3,586,852 in state funding for building upgrades project.

Governor Phil Murphy recently signed A4942, which authorizes $87.5 million to be distributed to proposed projects for the first round of funding from the Library Construction Bond Act.

This funding will go towards providing improvements to state public libraries. The initial grant round will also fund 10 new library buildings. A second round of awards is planned for the first quarter of 2021.

“Our public libraries serve as community bedrocks providing resources and information to thousands of New Jerseyans,” said Murphy.

He said “libraries will receive critical funding to address accessibility issues for our disability community and provide necessary safety improvements for adequate ventilation systems, as well as upgrading technology that will help shrink the digital divide in communities across the state.”

SBPL was among 38 other libraries to receive state funds. There were 129 applicants for the funding.

“The pool of eligible applicants reflected many strong projects responding to compelling community needs. These 38 awards rates as the ‘best of the best’ by the review committee. We congratulate them and look forward to seeing their projects get underway,” said Mary L. Chute, New Jersey State Librarian.

SBPL Library director Chris Carbone said they were excited to receive the funding and embark upon "this multifaceted expansion, renovation and repair project."

"It will meet the needs for the foreseeable future and create inspiring and flexible public spaces where the community can gather, discover and connect," said Carbone.

This state funding SBPL received will cover half the expected cost of its improvement project.

The other half of the cost will be needed within the next 90 days to receive the state award. The required matching funds for SBPL's 'Building the Next Chapter' will be paid with private donations raised by the SBPL Foundation, the Library Board of Trustees and anticipated $2.75 million in capital funding from South Brunswick Township.

The SBPL Foundation will be launching a fundraising campaign in the coming weeks.

The funds will go towards repairs and upgrades in the library. The Library Board of Trustees have developed a construction plan, which includes:

• a 128-seat state-of-the-art auditorium with stage
• new meeting room
• additional parking
• HVAC improvements
• repurposing of interior space

SBPL will replace the entrance ramp with a new ground level lobby and elevator, renovate old non-compliant restrooms into accessible family/caregiver facilities, create small group study rooms, and expand the Teen Services area.

The grant funding comes from a $125 million bond approved by New Jersey voters in 2017.

Senator Christopher "Kip" Bateman, was the primary sponsor on the Construction Bond Bill, and Assemblymen Andrew Zwicker (16th Dist.) was the co-sponsor, along with Roy Freiman.

“I appreciate the Governor’s prompt action signing this bill in the same week it cleared the Legislature. The availability of these grants is good news for public libraries and the residents who utilize them,” said Bateman.

The Township is expected to approve the project and capital funding during its December Council meetings. SBPL plans to seek construction bids in mid-2021 and hopes to complete the project sometime in late 2022.

This week the Township will vote to name the Library building in memory of former Mayor Christopher J. Killmurray, a strong library advocate and long-term Trustee who passed away in 2018.

Read More Here: South Brunswick Library Could Soon Be Named After Late Mayor

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