The only elevator that serves three floors of the M. Allan Vogelson Regional Library in Voorhees will be shut down until Sunday, Sept. 1. The elevator is being replaced and it’s expected the project will take this long to complete.
As one of the busiest libraries in South Jersey, the Camden County Library System wants the public and its members to know about the elevator shutdown and to plan accordingly during this period. The only access to the second and third floors will be by stairs. A center stairway leads to the second floor while two stairwells on either side of the building offer access to the second and third floors.
The library is planning to alleviate the disruption of elevator service as much as possible. Some programs, when possible, are being located to the first floor. Staff will also be available to assist with retrieval of circulation items from upper floors. The library will provide more computers for public access on the first floor during the shutdown. Signage will be posted throughout the library branch about the pending and ongoing elevator shutdown.
The public will still have stair-access to major collections and facilities housed on the second and third floors that include two computer centers, The Oasis (second floor), TTC (third floor); the reference section, periodicals and nonfiction (second floor); large public meeting rooms, study rooms and Literacy Volunteers of Camden County (third floor). The library system’s administrative offices, human resources, IT department and public relations offices are located on the third floor.
“We apologize for the inconvenience this causes our customers, but replacement of the elevator is essential. The current equipment is old and in recent years has been frequently down for repairs,” Camden County Library Director Linda Devlin said.
“Its replacement will assure easy access for all our customers to the collections, facilities and services located on our second and third floors for years to come. We are working to let the public know in advance so those who may be affected by the elevator shutdown can plan accordingly,” Devlin said.
During the elevator shutdown customers and the public will, as always, have access to use the system’s other seven branches: Bellmawr, Camden at Ferry Avenue and Rutgers Downtown, Gloucester Township, Haddon Township, Merchantville and South County in Winslow Township. The library’s website at www.camdencountylibrary.org which serves as a virtual branch is also available 24/7.
For more information during the elevator replacement call Voorhees Branch Manager William Brahms at 772–1636, ext. 7308.
