Burlington Review

The Burlington County Library System has received a $685,000 state grant to support a major redesign of the Pemberton Community Library. The grant, awarded by the New Jersey State Library as part of the Community Center Digital Connect initiative, is intended to improve community access to work, education, and health services. It is one of 19 grants distributed statewide.

“The Burlington County Library System was the first of its kind in New Jersey to be established by a county and more than a century after its founding it continues to evolve to better serve our residents and their varied needs,” said Burlington County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson. “This Community Center Digital Connect grant will support modernizing the Pemberton Library so it continues to be a trusted resource for all users ranging from local school children and seniors to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst service members and their families.”

The funding comes from New Jersey’s federal Capital Projects Fund, created to address critical needs that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. These grants can support construction or improvements to buildings that directly assist with employment, education, and health monitoring.

The Pemberton Community Library, located on Broadway in Browns Mills, opened in 2001 as a replacement for both the previously separate Browns Mills and Pemberton Borough libraries. This will be its first significant improvement since opening.

Planned changes include:

- Construction of two small-group meeting rooms for consultations with library staff and community experts, telehealth appointments, virtual job interviews, and other meetings.

- Creation of a new technology lab for programs, learning opportunities, technology classes, and personal learning goals.

- Merger of the existing teen room with an adjacent tech lab to create a teen tech lounge.

- Redesigning the reference desk area into a centrally-located reference/circulation services point with public-access computers, lounge seating, and general-use work tables.

“The library’s redesigned spaces will allow services to expand to serve more people and will enable staff to partner with local community organizations,” said Burlington County Library System Director Ranjna Das. “We anticipate working with partners like Virtua Health, Deborah Heart and Lung Center, CAMcare, Goodwill Industries of Southern New Jersey, ASPIRE Youth America Works to make this library a community resource for all residents.”

Additionally, Burlington County Library System received $1 million in state appropriation secured by New Jersey Senator Troy Singleton for improvements across four libraries. The Pemberton Library will use $250,000 for further enhancements including redesigning the children’s room with new furnishings and play areas.

The remaining $750,000 will fund renovations at the Burlington County Library in Westampton as well as branches in Cinnaminson and Evesham.

“Libraries are more than just a place to find books. They are pillars of our communities that serve as repositories of knowledge and as locations where residents can connect to an assortment of resources,” said Senator Singleton. “We want all of Burlington County libraries to be modernized and equipped to meet residents’ needs.”