Cranbury Public Library Cuts Hours to Save Money

The Cranbury Public Library will be open fewer hours per week starting on Feb. 1. The Library Board of Trustees voted to save costs by closing the library on Sundays and one hour earlier on Monday through Thursday. These changes were prompted by a decrease in library funding.

“These times have the least use, so we hope to minimize the impact to our library patrons,” Library Board President Kirstie Venanzi said. “The library’s friendly and knowledgeable staff will still continue to provide the same great library services you have come to expect.”

The new library hours are as follows:

• Monday to Thursday - 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday - 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Sunday - Closed

All municipal libraries are funded by tax dollars. Therefore, Cranbury must fund their public library at a rate of “1/3 of a mil”, or 33 cents for every $1,000 of equalized property value.

Because Cranbury's total assessed property value, including both residential and commercial, has decreased, the municipal funding for the library is down more than 10 percent, or $58,775 less to operate the library.

Being fiscally responsible, the Library Board of Trustees acted to balance the budget by reducing costs and increasing revenue. To increase revenue, the cost to make a black and white copy is increasing by 5¢ to 15¢ per page.

“This increase will help offset toner and paper costs,” Library Director Marilynn Mullen said.

Despite the decrease in funds, the library is ensuring that a healthy budget for books, magazines and DVDs will continue to be maintained, according to Mullen.

To discuss this change, or anything else related to the library, please contact Mullen at 609-655-0555.