Camden library saved by the county?

Cutting $542,000 from the library’s budget would have been enough to make it close its doors.

A plan is in motion to save Camden’s libraries – which were on track to close after the Mayor proposed cutting funding by nearly two-thirds.
Monday, city officials announced they’re looking to their neighbors for help.

With the City Council President and the Camden County Freeholder Director at her side, Mayor Dana Redd laid out her plan to save the City libraries from closing.

“At this juncture and in order to continue and expand library services for Camden residents I am aggressively pursuing an alternative which will allow the Camden Free Public Library to join the County Library system.”

Officials would not offer specifics on the County takeover, and did not say if all three Camden branches would remain open.

The plan must be approved by City Council. The library’s board of directors has no official say.

When the proposed city budget slashed $540,000 from the library, the Board said the branches would have to shut their doors.