Save Phillipsburg Library!

Phillipsburg, New Jersey has had a library it can be proud of since 1923. It has an excellent and broad-ranging collection, fantastic programs for children and adults, and a friendly, professional and efficient staff. It has 15 computers for use by the public free of charge, as well as free wi-fi. The library is a lifesaver for people who cannot afford Internet access or cannot afford books and DVDs. It is one of Phillipsburg's jewels, and in countless small and large ways it has changed lives.

Besides serving the Town of Phillipsburg, our library has served the Warren County townships since 1990, in a partnership designed to provide cost-effective service without building costly branches in many locations.

Now the Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders is planning to end its relationship with the library and eliminate its share of library funding. This will cut the library's budget in half and will cause residents of Lopatcong, Greenwich, Pohatcong and other townships to lose their borrowing privileges. The Freeholders' action will cut the heart out of the Phillipsburg community.

Why are they doing this? Supposedly to fund a new County Library branch a mere five-minute drive away. They have announced plans to spend $6 million to acquire and renovate an old mercury lamp factory and establish a new branch of their system. Meanwhile, they are closing down another branch in addition to severing their partnership with Phillipsburg, so their $6 million will give township residents ONE LESS LIBRARY.

Tell the Warren County Freeholders we don't like their plan! The County that told us it couldn't afford to keep our Warren Haven nursing home open shouldn't be spending $6 million on a library the citizens don't want and don't need. Stop this insane waste. Save our great library!