You will probably know, either from reading it here on this website, or from the local media, that an announcement was made recently by the Library Board of Trustees that the Clara Barton Branch Library would be closed as of June 30th.

A Town Hall meeting regarding the announcement was well attended by people from the Clara Barton area of Edison, many of whom were angry and upset about the closure. Edison’s Mayor Antonia Ricigliano proposed that the Library Board of Trustees meet with her to see if there was anything that could be done. That meeting was this week, as were a number of other meetings on the subject.

The Township Council have reallocated $100,000 from elsewhere in its budget so that the branch may stay open at least until the end of the year, to allow for time to explore the options. A task-force is being put together to look for ways to raise the necessary funds to keep the library open. Permission is also being sought to use around $70,000 that remains from a neighborhood preservation grant made to the area.

Friends of the Library President, Graham Gudgin, and Treasurer, Becky Gudgin were asked to speak at a community meeting held on Thursday in Clara Barton. They explained what The Friends of the Edison Public Library does and its relationship with the library. They also invited people from the area to join The Friends.

Friends of the Edison Public Library have offered our assistance to both the Library and the community group, as long as it falls within the scope of our organization.

Things are looking a little more hopeful for the branch library – we wish everyone involved much success with their efforts to keep it open.

Here are two recent local news stories on the subject:

Edison’s Clara Barton Branch Library gets a reprieve — for now – NJ.Com (Star Ledger)

Edison library branch gets reprieve from closing – MyCentralJersey.com (Home News Tribune)

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