Ocean County Will Soon Be Welcoming a New Public Library

Post date: April 7, 2025

By Shayla Roskos

Two years ago, the Ocean County board of commissioners voted and approved to build a new county public library in Stafford, and the project is currently underway and set to open within the next few months.

The project was funded by the New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act, which contributed $4.8  million towards the construction of the library alone. Construction began a little over a year ago, and great progress has been made towards finishing the project. The library is being built on the ground near the Southern  Service Center by the Route 9 and Route 72 interchange. The land was given to the

township 3 years ago and thereafter decided to be utilized for this new project. The township has great plans for the library once it has been opened and looks forward to the everlasting impact it will have on the community.  “Today is the result of strong partnerships, working together for a common cause – to bring a new library branch to the southern part of Ocean County that can be enjoyed by all of our residents,” said Joseph H. Vicari, Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners.

The new library hopes to perform as an asset for not just Stafford, but for all communities of Southern Ocean County. It plans on offering not only typical library services, but also functioning as a location for several important government services. In addition to this, the new building will provide educational resources and community spaces, state of the art technologies, public computers and shelving for 40 to 50 percent more books. It will also include a larger area for children's programs, an intergenerational space for senior citizens to socialize and enjoy library services, study rooms, a new teen area, and a sensory space to provide a welcoming environment for people with autism, Alzheimer's and other sensory processing needs. This opening should be a great opportunity for the community to come together and enjoy an open and welcoming space for all.