Atlantic County Library

Last updated
Atlantic County Library System
Atlantic County Library
Established1926
Branches10 branches, 1 reading center
Access and use
Circulation542,373 (2022)
Population served274,966 (2022)
  • 38,849 card holders
  • 348,693 printed volumes owned
  • 19,101 audio volumes owned
  • 49,949 video volumes owned
  • 21 subscribed databases
  • 30,864 eBooks
  • 9,666 eAudiobooks
  • 3,896 eMagazines
  • 152,798 downloads or views in 9 digital media services
  • 1,395 people, on average, used our mobile app monthly
  • 165 public computers available with internet
  • 51,280 public computer uses
  • 86,540 WiFi sessions
  • 998 children programs
  • 491 adult programs
Other information
Employees85 with 35+ hours per week (2022)
Website www.atlanticlibrary.org

Atlantic County Library System is the county library system of Atlantic County, New Jersey. The library system is the information center in Atlantic County. The Library System includes ten branch libraries located throughout Atlantic County: Absecon, Brigantine, Egg Harbor City, Egg Harbor Township, Galloway Township, Hammonton, Mays Landing, Pleasantville, Somers Point, and Ventnor. [1] The computerized public access catalog contains over 500,000 books, audio-visual and downloadable items. Atlantic County Library System also provides books-by-mail and other outreach services. [2]

Contents

History

The Atlantic County Library was founded in 1926 following a public referendum which was held in compliance with the law for establishing a county library. All communities were automatically included in the library’s services except Atlantic City which already had a municipal library. The first librarian was Jane Brown and the library’s first location was a room on the ground floor of the American Legion building on West Second Street in Mays Landing. By the end of 1926, the total collection was 13,000; there were four local libraries, eight deposit stations, 57 grammar schools with collections as well as four high schools with beginning collections.

The first Children’s Librarian was employed in 1930. The 1950s were the expansion years and the beginning of a building, equipment, and contingency fund. In 1952, the library owned 49,000 volumes and 5,543 requests. In 1967 grants of $15,000 were available which were renewable for five years; the county library received a grant to develop a good reference collection. The library was also able to purchase a new book truck partially using State Aid. In 1969 the library owned 80,977 volumes and circulated 241,143 materials.

The 1970s was a time for study, appeals, and plans. The library appealed a cut in State Aid allotment resulting in partial restitution of funds. The Library Commission formed a five year plan for improving staff, resources, and services in the libraries. Each year the size of the staff increased along with stock, equipment, and services. The Cape-Atlantic Consortium was formed in 1972 to apply for a grant for a Union Catalog of Reference Books. In 1973 the Commission obtained legal ruling on its autonomy and powers.

In 1979, the Atlantic County Library System took shape when the County Board of Chosen Freeholders passed a $3.75 million bond issue for construction of libraries in Hammonton, Egg Harbor Township, and Mays Landing. ACLS was the first library system in the state to be built on an innovative decentralized concept, building three regional libraries instead of one central library. In 1979 the Library Director, Joe Green, envisioned a new library system as a shift "from the time honored notion that library services should be provided where all patrons are expected to go for library services. That's an archaic belief in an electronic world." ACLS was also the first fully computerized public library system in New Jersey in 1980. Community libraries were linked through the computer system.

In 1983, a pre-fabricated building was erected in Brigantine, the first of its kind in New Jersey. In 1985 Galloway Township became a branch of the Atlantic County Library System and in 1990 a community branch in Longport was added.

Mission

The mission of the Atlantic County Library System is to enhance the quality of life in our diverse communities by fostering a love of reading, providing learning opportunities and resources for entertainment, and connecting people to technology

Branches

Absecon Branch
305 New Jersey Ave., Absecon, NJ 08201
Brigantine Branch
201 15th St. South, Brigantine, NJ 08203
Egg Harbor City Branch
134 Philadelphia Ave., Egg Harbor City, NJ 08215
Egg Harbor Township Branch
1 Swift Ave., Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
Galloway Township Branch
306 E. Jimmie Leeds Rd., Galloway Township, NJ 08205
Hammonton Branch
451 Egg Harbor Rd., Hammonton, NJ 08037
Mays Landing Branch
40 Farragut Ave, Mays Landing, NJ 08330
Pleasantville Branch
33 Martin L. King Dr., Pleasantville, NJ 08232
Somers Point Branch
801 Shore Rd., Somers Point, NJ 08244
Ventnor Branch
6500 Atlantic Ave., Ventnor, NJ 08406

Outreach and Services

Buena Community Reading Center

The Buena Community Reading Center is located in the Buena Regional High School in Buena, NJ. Outreach Services provides workshops and special story hours at the Buena Community Reading Center. [3]

Books By Mail

Provides delivery service of library materials to homes of Atlantic County Library System patrons. This service benefits those in the community that cannot visit the branches due to physical hardships or otherwise. [4]

Special collections

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atlantic County, New Jersey</span> County in New Jersey, United States

Atlantic County is a county located along the Jersey Shore in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 census, the county was the state's 15th-most-populous county, with a population of 274,534, a drop of 15 from the 2010 census count of 274,549. Its county seat is the Mays Landing section of Hamilton Township. The county is part of the South Jersey region of the state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Absecon, New Jersey</span> City in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States

Absecon is a city in Atlantic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States Census, the city's population was 9,137, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 726 (+8.6%) from the 2010 census count of 8,411, which in turn had reflected an increase of 773 (+10.1%) from the 7,638 counted at the 2000 census. The city, and all of Atlantic County, is part of the Atlantic City-Hammonton metropolitan statistical area, which in turn is included in the Philadelphia-Reading-Camden combined statistical area and the Delaware Valley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brigantine, New Jersey</span> City in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States

Brigantine is a city in Atlantic County in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States Census, the city's population was 7,716, a decrease of 1,734 (−18.3%) from the 2010 census count of 9,450, which in turn reflected a decline of 3,144 (−25.0%) from the 12,594 counted in the 2000 census. The city, and all of Atlantic County, is part of the Atlantic City-Hammonton metropolitan statistical area, which in turn is included in the Philadelphia-Reading-Camden combined statistical area and the Delaware Valley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buena Vista Township, New Jersey</span> Township in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States

Buena Vista Township is a township located in Atlantic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The township, and all of Atlantic County, is part of the Atlantic City-Hammonton metropolitan statistical area, which in turn is included in the Philadelphia-Reading-Camden combined statistical area and the Delaware Valley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey</span> Township in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States

Egg Harbor Township is a township in Atlantic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 47,842, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 4,519 (+10.4%) from the 2010 census count of 43,323, which in turn had reflected an increase of 12,597 (+41.0%) from the 30,726 counted at the 2000 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Egg Harbor City, New Jersey</span> City in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States

Egg Harbor City is a city in Atlantic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The city, and all of Atlantic County, is part of the Atlantic City-Hammonton metropolitan statistical area, which in turn is included in the Philadelphia-Reading-Camden combined statistical area and the Delaware Valley. As of the 2020 United States census, the city's population was 4,396, an increase of 153 (+3.6%) from the 2010 census count of 4,243, which in turn reflected a decline of 302 (−6.6%) from the 4,545 counted in the 2000 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Estell Manor, New Jersey</span> City in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States

Estell Manor is a city in Atlantic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Geographically, the city, and all of Atlantic County, is part of the South Jersey region and of the Atlantic City-Hammonton metropolitan statistical area, which in turn is included in the Philadelphia-Reading-Camden combined statistical area and the Delaware Valley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Galloway Township, New Jersey</span> Township in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States

Galloway Township is a township in Atlantic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, and a growing edge city to neighboring Atlantic City. At 114.49 square miles (296.5 km2) of total area of land and water, Galloway Township is the largest municipality in the state. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 37,813, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 464 (+1.2%) from the 2010 census count of 37,349, which in turn reflected an increase of 6,140 (+19.7%) from the 31,209 counted at the 2000 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hamilton Township, Atlantic County, New Jersey</span> Township in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States

Hamilton Township is a township in Atlantic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 27,484, an increase of 981 (+3.7%) from the 2010 census count of 26,503, which in turn reflected an increase of 6,004 (+29.3%) from the 20,499 counted in the 2000 census. The Township of Hamilton was incorporated by the New Jersey Legislature on February 5, 1813.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Longport, New Jersey</span> City in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States

Longport is a borough situated on the Jersey Shore on Absecon Island, within Atlantic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, on the Atlantic Ocean shoreline. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 893, a decrease of two people (−0.2%) from the 2010 census count of 895, which in turn reflected a decline of 159 (−15.1%) from the 1,054 counted in the 2000 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Margate City, New Jersey</span> City in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States

Margate City is a city situated on the Jersey Shore on Absecon Island, within Atlantic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, on the Atlantic Ocean shoreline. As of the 2020 United States census, the city's population was 5,317, a decrease of 1,037 (−16.3%) from the 2010 census count of 6,354, which in turn had reflected a decline of 1,839 (−22.4%) from the 8,193 counted at the 2000 census. Geographically, the city, and all of Atlantic County, is part of the South Jersey region of the state and of the Atlantic City-Hammonton metropolitan statistical area, which in turn is included in the Philadelphia-Reading-Camden combined statistical area and the Delaware Valley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mullica Township, New Jersey</span> Township in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States

Mullica Township is a township in Atlantic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 5,816, a decrease of 331 (−5.4%) from the 2010 census count of 6,147, which in turn reflected an increase of 235 (+4.0%) from the 5,912 counted in the 2000 census. Geographically, the township, and all of Atlantic County, is part of the South Jersey region of the state and of the Atlantic City-Hammonton metropolitan statistical area, which in turn is included in the Philadelphia-Reading-Camden combined statistical area and the Delaware Valley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ventnor City, New Jersey</span> City in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States

Ventnor City is a city situated on the Jersey Shore on Absecon Island, within Atlantic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, on the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2020 United States census, the city's population was 9,210, a decrease of 1,440 (−13.5%) from the 2010 census count of 10,650, which in turn reflected a decrease of 2,260 (−17.5%) from the 12,910 counted in the 2000 census. The city, and all of Atlantic County, is part of the Atlantic City-Hammonton metropolitan statistical area, which is part of the Philadelphia-Wilmington-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD combined statistical area, also known as the Delaware Valley or Philadelphia metropolitan area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Weymouth Township, New Jersey</span> Township in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States

Weymouth Township is a township in Atlantic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 2,614, a decrease of 101 (−3.7%) from the 2010 census count of 2,715, which in turn reflected an increase of 458 (+20.3%) from the 2,257 counted in the 2000 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northfield, New Jersey</span> City in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States

Northfield is a city in Atlantic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the city's population was 8,434, a decrease of 190 (−2.2%) from the 2010 census count of 8,624, which in turn reflected an increase of 899 (+11.6%) from the 7,725 counted in the 2000 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pleasantville, New Jersey</span> City in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States

Pleasantville is a city in Atlantic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the city's population was 20,629, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 380 (+1.9%) from the 2010 census count of 20,249, which in turn had reflected an increase of 1,237 (+6.5%) from the 19,012 counted at the 2000 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atlantic City Expressway</span> Highway in New Jersey

The Atlantic City Expressway, officially numbered, but unsigned, as Route 446 and abbreviated A.C. Expressway, ACE, or ACX, and known locally as the Expressway, is a 44.19-mile (71.12 km) long toll road in the U.S. state of New Jersey, managed and operated by the South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA). A controlled-access highway, it serves as an extension of the freeway part of Route 42 from Turnersville southeast to Atlantic City. The Atlantic City Expressway is signed as east-west, though the mileage and exits decrease as if you are travelling north-south. It connects Philadelphia and the surrounding Delaware Valley metropolitan area with Atlantic City and other Jersey Shore resorts, and also serves other South Jersey communities, including Hammonton and Mays Landing. The expressway intersects many major roads, including Route 73 in Winslow Township, Route 54 in Hammonton, Route 50 in Hamilton Township, the Garden State Parkway in Egg Harbor Township, U.S. Route 9 (US 9) in Pleasantville, and the Atlantic City–Brigantine Connector near the eastern terminus in Atlantic City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders</span>

The Atlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders is a body of nine people that govern Atlantic County, New Jersey alongside the county executive. The members of the board are referred to as freeholders.

The Current and the Gazette Newspapers is a chain of 15 weekly community newspapers in Cape May and Atlantic counties of New Jersey. It was owned by Catamaran Media, a partnership of the Travers family and The Press of Atlantic City. In 2014, Press owner BH Media acquired full ownership of the chain.

The Atlantic City Railroad was a Philadelphia and Reading Railway subsidiary that became part of Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines in 1933. At the end of 1925, it operated 161 miles (259 km) of road on 318 miles (512 km) of track; that year it reported 43 million ton-miles of revenue freight and 204 million passenger-miles.

References

  1. ↑ "Branches". Atlantic County Library System. Archived from the original on March 24, 2022. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
  2. ↑ "About Us". Atlantic County Library System. Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Buena Community Reading Center". Atlantic County Library System. Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Books by Mail". Atlantic County Library System. Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
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