By Theresa Katalinas
tkatalinas@sjnewsco.com

GREENWICH TWP. -- Construction crews are putting the final touches on a new branch of the Gloucester County Library System. Horace Spoto, Greenwich Township administrator, said Tuesday that the $1.4 million library on Swedesboro Road, designed by Garrison Architects, should be open for business by mid-January.

"It's over halfway completed," Spoto said. "Other than finishing site work ... it's complete."

Bob Weatherall, Gloucester County Library director, said a $317,000 state grant helped finance the project. In addition, he said the library commission will pay the township $60,000 per year for 10 years.
Weatherall said the commission will operate and fund the branch.
During Monday night's township council meeting, council approved a resolution to purchase furniture for the new branch, which is expected to cost about $85,000.

Weatherall said the fee includes furniture such as tables and chairs, stackable chairs, computer stations and couches. Mayor Greg Cipolla said the library will cost taxpayers about $7 per year, which he said won't pose much of a financial burden.

"It's going to make a terrific addition to the town," Cipolla said of the approximate 10,000-square-foot facility.

Although costs for Greenwich residents will be limited, Paulsboro households looking to borrow will have to foot an annual $60 non-resident fee. Weatherall said the library commission services 14 of 24 county municipalities who pay library taxes averaging around 4.5 cents per $100,000 of assessed property value.

"The folks in Paulsboro can't borrow books and they're only a mile away," Weatherall said. "New Jersey has the most unique library laws and sometimes the most confusing."

Weatherall said municipalities can opt to implement the county library tax in order to waive the annual non-resident fees. He said he made this suggestion to Paulsboro Mayor John Burzichelli and is waiting for a response.

Besides Paulsboro residents, individuals from West Deptford, Washington, Deptford, Monroe and Franklin townships and Pitman, Westville, Wenonah and Woodbury are required to pay non-resident fees at any of the four county libraries in Glassboro, Mullica Hill, Logan and Greenwich townships.