Library

New Library

The Township of Ocean Library Association was chartered by the State in the early 1960’s and contained 14 board members, including the mayor and superintendent of schools. The intent of the early founders was to develop a group that would work together for a common purpose – providing a physical library collection for township residents, as well as library services such as interlibrary borrowing, reference and reader services. Additional board members were elected from dues paying members of the Association. Each year, the Board submitted a budget to the Township for monies to be used to maintain the physical building and to supplement the book allocation received from the Monmouth County library system.

The original library was housed on the first floor of the ‘new’ town hall building on the corner of Deal Rd. and Monmouth Rd. It opened in the spring of 1966. It was the first branch of the Monmouth County Library and for many years, circulated the most books.

As the township grew in population and requirements, it became clear that the space was inadequate to house enough materials for residents, and to provide adequate quiet areas and meeting space. The Township of Ocean Library Association worked with the Town Council, Mayor and Township Manager to devise a plan to obtain the needed space. Signatures on petitions were solicited and the Association made the township manager and council aware of an unusual instance of NJ public funding for new library construction. The Township Manager and staff worked to obtain the funding. Ultimately, the new library was designed by incorporating a historical structure with a brand new facility combining the charm of the old section with the modern offerings of the new. The library is now located at 701 Deal Road. Click here to visit the Township library website. Click here for branch phone numbers and hours.

Shortly before the dedication of the new library in 2006, the Library Association Board voted to become a Friends of the Library organization. The mission is “to maintain an organization of persons interested in good library services; to stimulate community interest in the facilities and service of the Township of Ocean Library; and thus to enrich the cultural opportunities available to all citizens of the Township of Ocean and qualified borrowers.

On April 2, 2006, the official dedication ceremony for the new library was held.

Today the library has grown from just under 4,000 square feet to over 16,000 square feet. It contains a wonderful children’s activity room for programs, a room just for young adults and programs related to that age group, a large collection of books, magazines and media as well as eight computers for public use. The large DVD collection is updated weekly with new releases. The older Terner House section of the library contains quiet reading rooms and desks for library users to relax, read and work. The library has wireless access - bring your own laptop! - and material can be requested online at any time on any day.

The Friends of the Township of Ocean Library group is active with fund raising and the resources from those efforts go directly into library programs for the public as well as materials or equipment needed to provide the programs. The library director, the county library’s branch manager, is a non-voting member of the Friends group and allows the group to have a direct relationship with the needs of the library users and staff. Friends’ membership dues and receipts from book sales held throughout the year help to sponsor programs.

The Township of Ocean Library circulated 241,322 items in 2011 including adult and children books, DVDs, audio books, magazines and music CDs. There is no limit in the number of items a patron can check out. Books and audio books are checked out for 2 weeks, entertainment DVD’s for 2 days and educational and series DVD’s are checked out for 7 days.

For information on obtaining a Library card, click here. For other information with respect to the programs offered, collections available, etc., please see the website.