A public library that has served the Journal Square community since the 1950s has closed its doors as both a temporary replacement and plans for a permanent one are already underway.
The Jersey City Free Public Library (JCFPL) suddenly announced the shuttering of their Five Corners Branch at 678 Newark Avenue. The issue stems from the building’s heating, cooling, and ventilation systems, which date back to its original construction in 1957 and have repeatedly failed in recent years.
“The closure of the Five Corners Branch is deeply disappointing for the Jersey City Free Public Library and, most importantly, for the residents who depend on this location for books, technology, programs, information, and other essential services,” the library said in a statement. “As one of several City-owned buildings occupied by the Library, Five Corners has a long history serving the Journal Square community and beyond.”
The JCFPL says they have invested significant financial and operational resources in temporary units to keep the branch open to the public, but those measures are no longer sufficient or financially sustainable. The situation with the building is further complicated by environmental hazards associated with materials used in the building’s original construction.
In the short term, JCFPL is deploying two Bookmobiles outside the branch to assist patrons with library services while they work to identify an additional temporary location. The library says they are additionally actively exploring options for a new permanent home for the Five Corners Branch that is better equipped to serve the growing needs of the Journal Square community.
“The Five Corners community deserves more than another temporary repair; it deserves a lasting home where library services can grow and thrive for generations to come,” the JCFPL said. “Five Corners has long been an important part of this neighborhood, and we understand the disruption and concern this closure creates for patrons, families, students, and staff.”
The Board of Trustees says they remain committed to working with Library leadership, City officials, and community stakeholders to identify a responsible path forward, but it’s unclear when exactly a plan will be formulated to create a new home for the Five Corners Branch.
