The mission of the Franklin Township Library is to provide print
and nonprint (including the Internet) sources for the informational,
educational, and recreational needs of its patrons.
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The mission of the Franklin Township Library is to provide print and nonprint (including the Internet) sources for the informational, educational, and recreational needs of its patrons. |
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The desire for a library for the people of Malaga, NJ, was born in the heart of Miss Helen B. Richman. Books, to her, were a way of life. She was always an avid reader and her family had many books at home, which she, her sister, and their mother enjoyed reading. Her mother would lend books to anyone in the neighborhood who was interested in reading them.
While there were some attempts to start a public library, including one made by Erma Horel at the Franklinville Fire House, Miss Richman was the first one to really follow through and make the Malaga library a success. Named for her mother, Jennie Smallwood Richman, the new library was planned by Miss Richman for over twenty years. The dream was finally fulfilled with a building built on Miss Richman's own property, located off Old Delsea Drive, and filled with books that she herself had acquired. The Franklin Township Library legacy had begun in a gray, one story block building, 42 feet x 28 feet.
In May of 1966, Mrs. Martha Ochs was hired as librarian and the library formally opened to the public on June 13, 1966. Improvements to the building included a canopy over the entrance door, the installation of an air conditioner, and a sign.
The library was open 15 hours a week: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday (6:30 to 9 pm), Tuesday and Friday (3:30 to 6 pm), and Saturdays (2:00 to 4:30 pm), and was supported by funds appropriated by the township as well as those received from State Aid to Libraries.
In the fall of 1985, a building located on Delsea Drive next to the Township Municipal building was bought from Joseph Grochowski for $92,000. With the help of a $38,000 grant from the State Library, the building was renovated and became the new library.
With the help of numerous community volunteers, the contents from the Richman Library (approximately 14,000 volumes) were moved to the new Franklin Township Library on Delsea Drive. The library staff at the time of the move included Lillian Eshleman, Joyce Francis, Gloria Magliocco, Linda Rosenberg, Pat Dixon, and Director Gail Robinson.
The current facility opened Sept. 23, 2002, and is three times the size of the old library. Home to more than 50,000 items, the library boasts a collection of over 1000 audiobooks, as well as videos, CDs, DVDs, large print books, and an expanded reference section. The library subscribes to five daily newspapers and 125 magazines, and has eight Internet stations with access to a variety of databases, including EbscoHost, Facts on File, JerseyClicks, and NewsBank.
The new library includes a staff meeting room, an expanded work area, an administrative office, and a separate children's library. The highlight of the library, the children's library, features a three-dimensional mural depicting a variety of animals. The mural was donated by Joe and Karen Petsch in memory of their son, Michael. Additional pieces, including a bench and stools, have been donated by the Friends of the Library. The mural was designed, built, and installed by Seven Mile Design of Marlton, NJ.
The library is a member of LOGIN - libraries of Gloucester/Salem Information Network - which provides access to over 750,000 materials owned by the Deptford Public Library, East Greenwich Public Library, Franklin Township Library, Gloucester County College Library, Gloucester County Institute of Technology Media Center, Gloucester County Library, Gloucester County Library - Glassboro Branch, Gloucester County Library - Greenwich Branch, Gloucester County Library - Logan Branch, Monroe Township Library*, Newfield Public Library, Paulsboro Library*, Pitman Library, Salem Community College Library, Swedesboro Public Library, Wenonah Library, Washington Township Library, West Deptford Public Library, the Westville Public Library, and the Woodbury Public Library. The library can also request items for residents using JerseyCat, a database of over two million items owned by more than 70 libraries in South Jersey. Materials and information can also be accessed through regional and statewide library networks.*coming to LOGIN in 2009
Franklin Township Library offers a variety of children's programs, special family events, adult education and craft programs. In addition, free monthly walk-in crafts are held on designated Saturdays, October through June from 11 am to 1 pm (all ages are welcome). Preschool storytimes for 3 - 5 year olds are held on Thursdays at 10:30 am, February through April, and September through November. No registration is required.
2010 Library Board of Trustees
President: Joyce Francis Vice President: Francine Repice Secretary: Debra Unkow Treasurer: Robin Holmes Donna Ash Donna Atkinson Pat Conti Marie Grochowski Jo-Ann Zeilman Marjorie Pfrommer, Township Committee Rep. Patrick dougherty, Township Committee Rep.
Internet Usage
The library's Internet stations are available for public use - you need not have a library card to use the computers. We ask that patrons act responsibly when using the Internet and as stated in our written policy, if offensive material is being viewed, library staff will ask that patron to exit the site.
Children under eighteen (18) years of age must have their parents sign an Internet agreement prior to their using the Internet. All signed agreements will remain on file at the library.
Children under eighteen (18) years of age should have an adult with them when using the Internet. Note: library staff may use their discretion when enforcing this policy.
For statistical purposes, all Internet users will be asked to sign up prior to using the computers. For privacy reasons, library staff will sign up Internet users.
Patrons may utilize the Internet stations for thirty (30) minutes.
Interlibrary Loan
Patrons may request materials from other libraries by completing an interlibrary loan form.
Typewriter/Word Processors
The library has one typewriter and two word processors available for patron use.
