Camden Free Public Library Main Building

The Camden Free Public Library Main Building is the first former main library of the Camden, New Jersey public library system. Designed by Herbert D. Hale and Henry G. Morse,[4] the building was constructed with a grant from the Carnegie Corporation and opened in 1905.[5][6] It closed in 1986 with the relocation of the library's main branch to the former South Jersey Gas, Electric and Traction Company Office Building. In 1992, the building was placed on the state[3] and national[2] registers of historic places. The building has fallen into state of serious disrepair.[7] In 2003, funding was found for its stabilization, with the hope that it would be preserved and re-used.[4][8]

Camden Free Public Library Main Building
Camden Free Public Library Main Building is located in Camden County, New Jersey
Camden Free Public Library Main Building
Camden Free Public Library Main Building is located in New Jersey
Camden Free Public Library Main Building
Camden Free Public Library Main Building is located in the United States
Camden Free Public Library Main Building
Location616 Broadway
Camden, New Jersey[1]
Coordinates39°56′14″N 75°7′6″W
Built1903
ArchitectHerbert D. Hale
Henry G. Morse
NRHP reference No.92001385[2]
NJRHP No.894[3]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPOctober 15, 1992
Designated NJRHPSeptember 2, 1992

The city's once extensive library system has been beleaguered by financial difficulties. In 2010, it threatened to close but was incorporated by the county library system.[9] Nonetheless, the main branch did close in February 2011.[10]

See also

References
  1. "Camden Free Public Library". Philadelphiabuildings.org. 1992-10-15. Retrieved 2015-10-21.
  2. "National Registers of Historic Places - Camden County". NRHP. p. 1 of 10. Retrieved 2011-09-25.
  3. "New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places - Camden County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection - Historic Preservation Office. September 6, 2011. p. 2 of 10. Retrieved 2011-09-25.
  4. "Carnegie Library". Retrieved 2011-09-26.
  5. Bobinski, George S. (1969). Carnegie Libraries: Their History and Impact on American Public Library Development. Chicago: American Library Association. ISBN 0-8389-0022-4.
    • Jones, Theodore (1997). Carnegie Libraries Across America. New York: John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 0-471-14422-3.
  7. "Camden Free Public Library Main Building". Waymarking. January 2, 2010. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
  8. "Camden library may get new life The site that Carnegie built will be studied with an eye toward a rehab". Articles.philly.com. 2003-04-25. Retrieved 2013-07-05.
  9. "Camden preparing to close its libraries, destroy books". Articles.philly.com. 2010-08-06. Retrieved 2013-07-05.
  10. "Main branch of Camden public library set to close". NJ.com. Retrieved 2013-07-05.
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