The Beach Haven Library is Reopening!

We’re pleased to announce that renovation and restoration of the library building located at 247 North Beach Avenue is now complete, and library collections have been moved back into place. Full operations at the historic library, which opened to the public in 1924, will resume on Monday, June 26. We will host a Grand Opening on July 12.

The library has been operating out of a temporary location on the second floor of Beach Haven Borough Hall since last November after environmental testing revealed unsafe conditions, and the Borough Council declared an emergency.

Work on the library building included addressing problems with water in the basement, as well as remediating mold and higher-than-acceptable levels of lead in the air resulting from lead paint on walls and shelving.

All remediation has been completed and the building interior has been newly painted.

It was no easy task to get 40,000 books back onto the shelves, rehang the artwork, curate displays, and resettle staff and equipment into the library building. The support we received from Borough administration was phenomenal, and everyone from Borough Manager Sherry Mason to the entire team at Beach Haven Public Works was there when we needed them.

We also owe a huge debt of thanks to our Library Board, and especially the executive committee—Board President Kathy Kelly, Vice President Tina Hughes-Kelsall, Treasurer Nancy Thornton, and Secretary Jayne McElvery—for going above and beyond during this unprecedented challenge.

We’re happy to be reopening, we’re looking forward to a busy summer season, and we hope to see you soon!

We’ll be open on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and on Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

You can reach us via email at bhpl@comcast.net and by phone at 609-492-7081.