Haddonfield Public Library
RETURN TO HOME PAGE 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE LIBRARY BUILDING PROJECT

For a number of years, there has been extensive discussion and analysis of  the need for an expanded library facility -- a facility that can meet the expanding informational needs of the community, that will meet current codes [most importantly, the Americans with Disabilities Act], that will be able to meet the technological changes of the 21st century and that will preserve the rich historical resources of our unique town. The detailed CHRONOLOGY of Haddonfield Library Building Process gives the complete history to date. Links to other information are listed below.

SUMMARY - DEFICIENCIES of the Existing Library Building    
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY of the BUILDING PROGRAM 
PUBLIC COMMENTS at JUNE 27, 2001 MEETING
LOCAL HISTORY CENTER

Conclusions and Recommendations of the Building Committee
March 2005

¨      A new Library is needed to meet the present and future needs of the Haddonfield community

¨      There is a major cost to “doing nothing”

o       Making the necessary repairs and to bring the current building into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and current building codes would:

§         Cost an estimated $2 million dollars or more

§         Reduce library collections and public place by 40-50%

¨      The Building Committee endorses a  new, redesigned plan that will be:  

•     Located on the present site

•   25,000 - 30,000 square feet
  This will allow for: 
  ¨       modest expansion of collection sizes, with greatest growth in audio visuals
  ¨       better browsing and display, increasing collection accessibility
  ¨       greatly expanded public computer and technological capacities
  ¨       adequate meeting space for library programs & community use
  ¨       flexible space for the future

•   Include a Local History Center  

•       All new construction
  The prior plan included retaining a portion of the Historic building, which caused the design to become more complicated, architecturally inefficient, too large (42,000 sq. ft.) and unacceptably costly.

Historically, Haddonfield’s libraries were built too small. We get ONE SHOT to do this right. This building should be built to serve the community for generations to come. Building too small yet again would be costly and architecturally difficult to correct.  The plan will provide an open, flexible plan that will be able to change to meet the unforeseeable changes which will inevitably come.

Contact Library Director, Douglas Rauschenberger for more information. 856-429-1304 or by email dbr@camden.lib.nj.us