Built 1903 NJRHP # 894 Opened 1903 | NRHP Reference # 92001385 Designated NJRHP September 2, 1992 Added to NRHP 15 October 1992 | |
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Location 616 BroadwayCamden, New Jersey Similar Walt Whitman House, Cooper River, BB&T Pavilion, Adventure Aquarium, Camden Children's Garden | ||
The Camden Free Public Library Main Building is the first former main library of the Camden, New Jersey public library system. Designed by Herbert D. Hale and Henry G. Morse, the building was constructed with a grant from the Carnegie Corporation and opened in 1905. It closed in 1986 with the relocation of the library's main branch to the former South Jersey Gas, Electric and Traction Company Office Building. In 1992, the building was placed on the state and national registers of historic places. The building has fallen into state of serious disrepair. In 2003, funding was found for its stabilization, with the hope that it would be preserved and re-used.
The city's once extensive library system has been beleaguered by financial difficulties. In 2010, it threatened to close but was incorporated by the county library system. Nonetheless, the main branch did close in February 2011.