Good news for bibliophiles and researchers. The Atlantic County Library System Ventnor Branch will reopen early next week.
The library has been closed for about three weeks to accommodate the emergency replacement of an HVAC chiller. The closing was necessary because the chillers are located on the roof of the building, which also houses the city’s Cultural Arts Center, and would have posed a safety hazard for library patrons.
“We are happy to report that the new chiller has been installed and the library will be back starting Monday, July 16,” Commissioner of Public Works Lance Landgraf said. “We thank the contractor and his team for getting the replacement done as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
Landgraf said it was the second time since he first took office in 2016 that the chiller had to be replaced due to the salt air. The chiller is located outdoors on the roof of the building so this time, the company installed it with galvanized steel parts in hopes it will last a bit longer.
The cost of replacement is approximately $300,000.
The library building at 6500 Atlantic Ave. is a pretty active place, with children and adult readers enjoying programming, and artists and summer arts campers coming and going. The building also houses the Ventnor City Historical Society, which contains reams of old publications and artifacts, many depicting life at the seashore over the last century. Senior citizens enjoy lunches in the Community Room at the rear of the building next to the beachfront Memorial Park.
According to Atlantic County Executive Chief of Staff Linda Gilmore, some staffers are currently on-site to re-shelve inventory but the library is not yet open to the public.
Although the library building will be closed, the Ocean Breeze Arts Show will take place this weekend outside of the building. Dozens of local artists, makers and crafters will be selling their artwork to throngs of visitors who make the festive event an annual tradition
During the temporary closure, patrons were invited to visit other branches of the library or take advantage of 24/7 digital access.
Gilmore also recently announced a temporary increase in operating hours for the Absecon branch starting Monday, Monday and continuing through mid-September. The expanded branch hours will be Monday, Friday and Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The extended hours are needed to provide access for summertime library services while the Galloway Township branch is closed due to a similar issue.
“By offering additional hours at this branch, the public will have greater access to our collection and services this summer, especially in the absence of the Galloway branch while it undergoes installation of a new HVAC system,” Library Director Matt DiBella said.
The Absecon branch is located at 305 New Jersey Ave. in Absecon and can be reached at 609-646-2228.
For the locations and hours of additional Atlantic County Library System branches, visit www.atlanticlibrary.org or call 609-625-2776, ext. 6304. Patrons may also access digital media services and databases 24/7 on the website.