History of the Camden County Library System

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Camden County Library Branches

History of the Library

The Camden County Library was established in 1921 to serve rural parts of the county. Service consisted of selecting and delivering small collections of books to schools and other locations used to house books -- firehouses, stores, and even homes were enlisted. The headquarters library served primarily as a storage facility.

With the growth of the suburbs after World War II, the library declined. By 1966 it was nearly forgotten in the basement of the County Court House. Its revival began with a new Commission who appointed a professional librarian and made plans for relocation.

1969	The library leases space in the new Echelon Mall in Voorhees. Library usage increases quickly to the point where the new headquarters are inadequate.
1973	Camden County Library is designated Area Reference Library to Camden and Gloucester Counties.
1975	Haddon Township and Winslow Township Libraries join the county system as branch libraries.
1977	The main library moves to the new headquarters building across from the Echelon Mall. It is built on land given to the county by the Rouse Company.
1977	Gloucester Township Library becomes a branch.
1986	Winslow Township Branch moves into its new building.
1987	The Camden County Library is designated Reference Center for Region VI of New Jersey Library Network.
1989	Gloucester Township Library moves into a new facility.
1993	Haddon Township Library moves into its new building. Use of all four facilities is so high that plans to expand the Voorhees branch and build a regional library in the southern part of the county.
1995	CamNet is introduced, providing Internet access and other library resources to participating schools. Internet access is provided for the public at the Camden County Library.
1996	Celebrating our 75th Anniversary; we top one million in circulation.
1997	The South Jersey Regional Technology Center opens to the public; branches offer Internet access. The Bellmawr Branch of the Camden County Library opens in December.
1999	The Camden County Library Reading Center at Merchantville School and Public Library opens in March. Construction begins in fall, 1999 for the new South County Branch.
2000	The South County Regional Branch opens in December, 2000.
2001	Camden County Library becomes the New Jersey Statewide Reference Center.
2001	Camden County Library joins other libraries in New Jersey to offer QandA NJ, a virtual reference service.
2004	The Voorhees Township Branch is renamed the M. Allan Vogelson Regional Branch, to honor the former county freeholder who led the planning efforts to build the facility.
2005	Camden County Library offers downloadable audiobooks to its patrons. Shelf Life, a library annex, opens at the Echelon Mall in Voorhees, NJ.
2006	Shelf Life closes when the Echelon Mall is redesigned.
2007	Downloadable video is introduced.
2008	SignUp is introduced. Patrons can register for programs and events online.