On January 6, 2020 the Solicitation for Grant Applications for the NJ Library Construction Bond Act funds was published on the NJ State Library website. Applications will be accepted March 9, 2020 through 4:00 p.m. EDT April 6, 2020.
The Library Board of Trustees is working on the application and plans to submit it as soon as possible.
The regulations for the NJ Library Construction Bond Act were published first in July. After a 60 day comment period the final regulations were released on November 4, 2019. To read the full regulations and comments go to NJ Library Construction Bond Act.
We are looking forward to receiving the application for grant funds soon. Once received the Library Board will have 90 days to submit the completed application. The state will then have 60 days to award grant funds. Let’s hope 2020 is the year we break ground!
July 1st update from the NJ State Library
June update from the NJ State Library
Click below to see the latest (June 2019) perspective artist renderings perspective renderings of the new library.
The latest news from the New Jersey State Library is that the development of draft regulations for the New Jersey Construction Bond Act is on track for release in early summer. Library directors have been sent a short survey asking them if their library has a proposed library project, if so what type, and the estimated cost. The survey was filled out immediately and returned. All involved are looking forward to finally applying for grant funding this summer and building a new library in 2020!
This week the Township Committee wrote a letter to Governor Murphy asking that he help to ensure that the New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act moves forward quickly. As you know, the NJ Library Construction Bond Act was approved by a majority of voters in New Jersey on November 7, 2017. It was also passed overwhelmingly in Cranbury.
Please join us in urging Governor Murphy to ensure the New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act moves forward quickly. Sign the petition at here.
In Cranbury, this 14-month delay has had a significant negative impact on our plans for a free-standing public library with community space. We have a shovel-ready project, funded by $2.5 million in private donations, but our donations have tapered off after the Bond Act was passed, as our community anticipated a quick application and release of matching grant funds to finish the project. Rising construction and material costs move the goal further away with each month of delay.
Cranbury has been working as a community to raise funds for a new public library since 2009 when a Foundation was formed by a group of concerned citizens who were committed to raise the funds for a free-standing public library; Cranbury is the last township in New Jersey where the public library is shared with a K-8 school library space.
The Cranbury Township Committee donated the land for the new library in a space identified on the master plan since 2010. The new library can operate fully on the minimum New Jersey library appropriation. We expect the new library will serve as an community anchor and invigorate our downtown business area.
By raising $2.5 million in private donations, our community has demonstrated the need for new public library. Please help us cross the finish line and ensure the New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act moves forward quickly.
Regards, Cranbury Township Committee & Cranbury Public Library Board of Trustees