Supporting Our Libraries on Election Day

                                Supporting Our Libraries on Election Day

By Albert B. Kelly

Back in July, in this same space, I wrote about the need for passage of Assembly Bill A222 (S2171 on the Senate side), legislation that calls for a $125 million bond issue referendum for local libraries statewide. The bill ultimately had 60 sponsors from both the Assembly and the State Senate and Governor Christie signed it on July 21^st. With that, the focus now shifts to November and Election Day which means the ball is in our court now.

If we approve this referendum on Election Day, which is November 7^th by the way, it would basically allow for a one for one dollar match for projects with the State providing half the cost of a given project and whichever city or county is behind the project providing the other half.

This arrangement seems eminently fair and equitable. On the one hand, the State is providing a strong platform in support of local libraries and on the other, the municipality or county has an adequate amount of skin in the game and a mechanism to leverage their resources- what could be more reasonable than that?  

When I first wrote in support of this referendum, I spelled out the many reasons why I believe that our local libraries are worthy of all the resources we can give them. Nothing from that time to the present has changed my mind about our need to support the local library. If anything, the sense of urgency has grown stronger.

I say that because even as I write this, the number of neutral or nonpartisan spaces in our society is shrinking rapidly- so much so that not even a sideline, dugout, or courtside is considered neutral anymore. But our libraries are neutral spaces open and available for anyone and everyone to use regardless of their position or station in life.

As I pointed out back in in the summer, your local library is a resource for senior citizens, children, teens, and the community at large through cultural programs, trainings, as well as educational offerings that are geared specifically to the communities they serve. It’s not a “one-size-fits-all” proposition- libraries specialize in their communities.

Local libraries also specialize in hometown history. I know our local library here in Bridgeton has information about generations of Bridgetonians that goes back to the 1700’s and new pieces get added on a regular basis. They are the keepers of the historical record for the communities they serve.

And what can we say about the books? I know that today so much is experienced digitally and libraries are part of that universe as well. But there is something about a book, holding it in your hand, feeling the weight and texture of a book is very much a part of the reading experience. Plus, at least when it comes to books, they don’t need batteries or recharging.

If you approve the referendum on Election Day and I sincerely hope we do, the funding will support several key things. One major area that libraries struggle with is ensuring that their facilities are ADA-compliant. That means a portion of the money will go into making necessary changes to allow persons with disabilities to easily access the library.

As we know, books occupy physical space and so another portion of the monies would be available for expanding the library infrastructure to accommodate books and periodicals. But more importantly, funding would also go to creating or expanding the digital and technology infrastructure that is so much a part of our lives these days. This includes electric, Wi-Fi, computers, tablets, and whatever comes next.

This ability to upgrade and retro-fit is especially important in light of the fact that so many of our libraries are housed in some fairly old (read historic) structures. Bridgeton’s public library has, as part of its footprint, the 1816 Cumberland National Bank Building- Cumberland County’s first bank. 

The local library is a neutral space, yet each specializes in the community it serves. Our local libraries are spaces for learning, imagination, connection, and reflection. As I said back in July and it bears repeating now, our local libraries serve as portals to the world at large- always about possibilities- the reward is that you get to discover the possibilities in your own way.

It has been 16 years since the last referendum so we’re overdue. On Election Day, please consider approving this referendum; our towns and villages will be better for having done so.