Camden County To Take Over City Libraries

The mayor of Camden, NJ has announced a plan to prevent the city libraries from closing, by folding them into the Camden County library system.

KYW's Mike DeNardo reports that Camden's three city library branches were headed for closure after the mayor's budget slashed funding (see previous story).

But city libraries would be controlled by the Camden County library system under a plan announced today by Camden mayor Dana Redd (at lectern in photo):

"After learning that the Library Board's only solution was to close our libraries, I knew I could not let that happen."

County freeholder director Louis Cappelli, though, could not say this move would save all three city branches:

"At this point, we're still looking at what will happen.  The plan is still being put together.  We can't guarantee that all three will remain open."

City Library Board member Frank Fulbrook says he would oppose the plan, saying the mayor created the mess:

"When the crisis reached a fever pitch, she steps in to 'rescue' the situation.  I think it was all a cynical ploy."

Redd says she's working with Rutgers University to expand library opportunities for Camden residents.

(Photo #2 by KYW's Mike DeNardo)