Ventnor Library and Cultural Arts Center.
The Ventnor branch of the Atlantic County Library System will be closed through June 30, the county announced Monday.
But it could be longer than that, Ventnor Commissioner of Public Works Lance Landgraf said.
The library branch closed its doors at 5:30 p.m. last Thursday, and remained closed through the weekend but more time is needed to address HVAC issues.
The chiller needs to be replaced for the second timed since Landgraf first took office in 2016, he said.
The chiller is located on the roof, and the seashore weather is causing it to “take a beating,” he said.
“This time we got the company to galvanize all the internal parts with the hopes it will last a bit longer,” he said.
The replacement will cost an estimated $300,000. The city owns the building and leases it to the county. Due to the forecast of extreme heat through Wednesday evening, the county opted to close the library.
The building also contains the Ventnor Cultural Arts Center and the Community Center.
Director Susan Van Duyne Hunter said the Arts Center would take things one day at a time. Classes were cancelled for Monday, but other classes will be held according to schedule.
“We have a few small air conditioners we can use. We will be in contact with our students if we have to cancel,” Van Duyne said.
Anyone who has concerns about cancellations should email the center at ventnorarts@gmail.com or call 609-823-7959.
The Community Room will remain open and will continue to serve lunches to senior citizens, Landgraf said.
The equipment will be delivered June 27, and work will likely take a week to 10 days to complete, he said. Equipment will be delivered and a crane will lift it to the roof Friday morning during the time the Ventnor City Farmers Market is open.
Police will try to limit the impact on parking along Newport Avenue.
Landgraf said the equipment was ordered weeks ago after a bond ordinance was approved, but delivery was delayed due to supply chain demands.
The county advised that during the temporary closure, patrons may visit other branches of the library system or take advantage of 24/7 digital access.
For more information about Atlantic County Library System branch locations and hours and available services, visit www.atlanticlibrary.org.
