Bound Brook library may not reopen until next year

BOUND BROOK – The Bound Brook Memorial Library may not reopen until next year after closing due to asbestos found during renovations, according to Mayor Dominic Longo.

According to Longo, this year's municipal budget year didn’t cover the cost of abating the asbestos or bringing the renovations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

After failing to get grants or acquiring the funds from the state this year, Longo said the borough plans to add the money to next year’s capital budget.

“We plan to make the asbestos repairs and bring the building up the ADA compliance next year,” said Longo. “Once we award the bids, we hope to get the project done as soon as possible, but we are at the mercy of the contractors, the bidding process and the legal process.”

Longo said he believes Bound Brook could still receive a grant before the end of the year which would allow the repairs to start earlier, but for now, the funds will not be available until next year.

The library has been closed since October when it announced on its website that the facility on the corner of Hamilton and High streets would close for a week because of asbestos found in the newer part of the building.

Less than a week after that announcement, the library closed for long-term repairs without a timeline.

The library said said it would attempt to find a temporary location, but that hasn't happened.

Unfortunately for residents of Bound Brook and South Bound Brook, the library will stay closed for the foreseeable future.

The Somerset County Library System (SCLSNJ), which runs the Bound Brook branch, is using vans to provide services to residents, said Longo, but as the weather gets colder, the SCLSNJ will use the municipal courtroom in Borough Hall.

More: Somerville, South Bound Brook projects recognized with Somerset County history awards

Library vans have been parked in the commuter lot at the Bound Brook Train Station from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Wednesday since May providing internet access, printing, photocopying and many other services, according to the SCLSNJ website.

A little more than a month ago SCLSNJ also started four more outreach programs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays offering library services around Bound Brook.

Here is a full list of locations:

Tuesday

• Somerset County Food Bank, 7 Easy St., Bridgewater from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Legion Park, 548 E. Main St. from 2 to 5 p.m.

Wednesday

• Somerset County’s Mobile HELPS Van at the New Jersey Transit commuter lot, 106 E. Main St. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Memorial Park, 78 Elizabeth St., in South Bound Brook from 11 a.m. to noon

Thursday

• Codrington Park, 200 Thompson Ave. from 2 to 5 p.m.

More: Upcoming novel details young man's coming of age in early 1990s Bound Brook

Brian Auger, SCLSNJ director, saids the mobile services will continue until the library finds a temporary home or reopens.

“If we can find a home, we’ll be doing less of that outreach,” said Auger. “But unless and until we get a home, we will be doing those outreach activities.”

The Bound Brook Memorial Library is not just significant because of the services it provides, but also its history.

In 1924, Bound Brook’s first public library was demolished, and the current building was constructed by local builder Alexander Morecraft.

The building was created as a memorial to Bound Brook’s service men and women who served in World War I and cost between $50,000 and $55,000 which, in today’s money, would be between $877,000 to $965,000.

Contact: EMannello@mycentraljersey.com

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Bound Brook library may not reopen until next year