User:Smallbones/Cape May Lib

List of public libraries in Cape May County, New Jersey

The Cape May County Free Library in Cape May County, New Jersey is a system with its main branch in Cape May Court House and seven other branches throughout the county. The Avalon Public Library, in Avalon operates independently of the county system.

The system's collection includes 363,185 volumes. 622,386 items circulate per year. The library serves a population of 84,230 county residents plus many tourists over the summer.

History
In November 1924, county voters approved a referendum starting the county-wide library. Bess E. McGregor, a librarian from Staten Island, was hired as the first librarian the following April with a salary of $2,000 per year. Two assistants were soon hired and $883 was spent to buy a library truck. Two thousand books were contributed by the state. Books were distributed at about 70 small stations located in schools, post offices, and stores, starting on September 1, 1925.

In 1926 the library owned 10,679 books. Sarah A. Thomas become County Librarian, starting her 30 years in the post. A 2,000 square foot main branch was opened in December 1927 across from the Court House Building.

By 1959, the collection included 66,418 books and the system had 4,245 registered borrowers. The collection grew to 85,000 books in 1966 and the system included eight member libraries in Avalon, Cape May, North Wildwood, Sea Isle City, Stone Harbor, Wildwood, Wildwood Crest and Woodbine. Four of the library stations had survived at Cape May Point, Dennisville, Eldora, and Reed's Beach but all the stations eventually closed.

A new main library building opened on June 27, 1971 in Cape May Court House. A bookmobile served the areas formerly served by the closed stations. The Lower Cape Branch in Villas opened in 1982 and the Upper Township Branch in Petersburg opened in October 1985.

In 2001, the library collection included 180,000 titles, 350,000 volumes, 5,000 videos, 4,000 audio books and 600 magazines. The staff included 20 professional librarians and 45 staff members.