Woodbridge library shuttered by Ida getting ready to reopen

WOODBRIDGE – The roof has been replaced and new framing is in place for work to continue this summer on the renovations at the storm-damaged Henry Inman Branch Library in the Colonia section, with plans to reopen the building this fall.

Key changes will include redoing the electrical and plumbing systems and bringing the nearly 60-year-old building up to current township codes, which will include Americans with Disabilities Act-complaint restrooms and doorways, as well as flood resilient aspects.

One of the measures that will also be taken is that there will be two brackets installed at both entrances that will allow for flood panels to be placed during a flood alert. In addition, the structure will be certified to Federal Emergency Management Agency and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection standards.

Monica Eppinger, Woodbridge library director, said great progress has been made on the project.

"We've already got a great plan for the inside and we're making great progress on lining everything up to open in the fall,” she said.

The building is undergoing a more than $1 million renovation with the cost largely covered by insurance as well as FEMA, which has worked with the town on making the building flood resilient.

"It's going to be a much-improved design for the patrons and the staff as well," said Eppinger. "You have to make the best of a tough situation and the township has been super supportive."

In September 2021 the library branch sustained major flood damage when remnants of Hurricane Ida hit Central Jersey.

Mayor John McCormac recalled seeing fast-moving water overflowing the banks of the stream next to the library and anticipated damage to the building

"It was pretty devastating to see the way the water came up so far that the lowest level of books was a complete loss," said Eppinger, adding about 6 inches of water filled some sections of the building located at 607 Inman Ave., which is in a flood zone next to the Pumpkin Patch Brook. The building has been closed since the storm.

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Eppinger said there is no basement, but the building had plumbing and electrical work in the floor and the storm left a water line on the books on the shelves.

"In the past we've had some water and we were able to recover from that, clean the carpets and put everything back in action, but this time the damage was much more extensive, and it was not a simple recovery. There were electrical problems, HVAC problems, damage in places," said Eppinger, who added in deciding to close the library, the structure of the building would also need to be addressed. "They did have to do some extensive work on the infrastructure of the building."

Eppinger said the roof was finished during the winter. She said the roof had damage from over the years and the town decided not to just patch it but replace it. The building, which was 50 years old in 2016, had some work done over time, but this was first roof replacement. The new roof is metal and is expected to last for many years to come, she said.

She said there were some supply chain issues which set things back a little bit.

Other redesigns include bringing patrons near the light rather than have the books block the light from the windows.

"We're changing the layout of the floor a little bit to give it better patron seating areas," Eppinger said, adding the Wi-Fi will be much improved, there will be more comfortable seating, the library will have computers for the public but there also will be power outlets where patrons can bring their own equipment and charge their phones and laptops.

There also will be more natural light for people to read by and staff will have a modern place to work and serve the public.

Books from the library were packed and labeled to go back in order before being placed in storage after the storm. Eppinger said the book display will be similar to how it was before, but the library is also watching the trends in circulation right now.

She said a modern selection of materials will be available for readers, as well as reference materials.

Staff members who were relocated to the main library and other branches following the Inman Branch closing will be returning to that location.

Email: srussell@gannettnj.com

Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Woodbridge NJ library shuttered by Ida getting ready to reopen