NEWTON, N.J. (Sussex County) — The Sussex County Library System’s Dennis Branch in Newton will close to the public later this month as a $4.165 million renovation project gets underway.
The Sussex County Board of County Commissioners last week approved a construction contract with Westcraft Builders Inc., officially moving the long-planned renovation into the construction phase. The project is expected to take approximately 12 months.
The renovation is funded through a grant from the New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act, administered by the New Jersey State Library, along with matching funds from Sussex County.
The Dennis Branch will close at 5 p.m. Saturday, July 11, to allow staff to prepare the building for construction. The exterior book drop will remain available through Wednesday, July 22.
Patrons with materials on hold at the Dennis Branch will be contacted to arrange pickup at another Sussex County Library System location.
During construction, library cardholders will continue to have access to digital resources and borrowing privileges at all Sussex County Library System branches. Cardholders also may use the Open Borrowing program at the Sparta Public Library and libraries in Hunterdon, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic and Warren counties.
Beginning Monday, July 13, the Dot Mobile Library will provide service at 15 Trinity St. in Newton on the following schedule:
- Mondays: 2 to 5 p.m.
- Wednesdays: 4 to 7 p.m.
- Fridays: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Sussex County Library System also noted that Skylands Ride bus service provides transportation from several locations in Newton to library branches in Franklin and Wantage.
“We’re excited to begin this next chapter for the Dennis Branch,” said Library Director Will Porter. “We’re grateful to the Sussex County Commissioners, the New Jersey State Library, the Newton Library Association, and all those whose dedication and support have helped make this project possible. We also want to thank our patrons for their patience as we complete these improvements, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to a refreshed library that will better serve the community for years to come.”
The Sussex County Library System said updates on the project, branch hours, digital resources and the Dot Mobile Library schedule will be available on its website throughout construction.
