The new Pinelands Library is open and the Burlington County Commissioners and the Burlington County Library System held a celebration on March 16 in the new state-of-the-art space and honored the library branch’s history of outstanding service.
Residents of all ages came together with Burlington County and local officials for the grand opening celebration to commemorate the new library location, as well as the Pinelands Library’s 50th Anniversary.
“Burlington County was the first county in New Jersey to establish a County Library System and more than a century after its founding it continues to get better and better,” said Burlington County Commissioner Tom Pullion, the Commissioners’ liaison to the Burlington County Library System. “This new Pinelands Library has an outstanding staff, a diverse collection of materials and many of the modern amenities our residents want in a community library. It’s everything we dreamed it would be and we are thrilled to see it become a reality.”
“Pinelands is a special part of our Burlington County Library System and we’re proud to see the tradition continue in this beautiful new facility,” added Burlington County Library System Director Ranjna Das. “Today we celebrated the library’s long history and bright future. It’s a fantastic space and we’re encouraging residents from across the county to visit and see the wonderful things this location and our entire library system has to offer.”
The Pinelands Library originally opened on February 14, 1972, in a former bus garage at the corner of Allen Avenue and Main Street. At the time, it was the fourth library in the growing Burlington County Library System that was founded in 1921 in a single room of a YMCA in Mount Holly.
The Pinelands branch became an instant success, and the Allen Avenue building was expanded in 1984 to accommodate a dedicated children’s section. In the ensuing decades, demand for the library’s services continued to grow and the library eventually outgrew its original location, prompting the relocation to its new home on the first floor of the new Medford Town Hall at 49 Union Street.
The bigger space includes several modern library amenities, including a dedicated tech center, study room, event space and a large children’s department.
The ceremony featured remarks about the library’s history and importance, as well as a special performance by Mr. Scott the Music Man, a popular children’s music performer. Visitors also had the opportunity to tour the new library space and meet with library staff.
“We’ve received great feedback about the new library and all it has to offer,” said Burlington County Library Commission Chairman Jonathan Chebra. “Our customers are finding the same warm, inviting ambiance and strong sense of community that has always existed at the Pinelands Library but in a more modern facility. We couldn’t be more pleased.”
