VENTNOR – Atlantic County today announced the Ventnor branch of the Atlantic County Library System, 6500 Atlantic Ave., will be closed through June 30. But according to Ventnor Commissioner of Public Works Lance Landgraf, it could be closed a bit longer than that.
The library branch closed its doors at 5:30 p.m. last Thursday and the library remained closed through the weekend but more time is needed to address HVAC issues.
Landgraf said the chiller needs to be replaced for the second timed since he first took office in 2016.
“It’s the second one we have had to replace,” he said Monday afternoon.
The chiller is located outdoors on the roof and the seashore weather is causing it to “take a beating” he said.
“This time we got the company to galvanize all the internal parts with the hopes it will last a bit longer,” he said.
The replacement will cost an estimated $300,000. The city owns the building and leases it to the county. Due to the forecast of extreme heat through Wednesday evening, the county opted to close the library.
The building also contains the Ventnor Cultural Arts Center and the Community Center.
Director Susan Van Duyne Hunter said the Arts Center would take things one day at a time. Classes were cancelled for Monday, but other classes will be held according to schedule.
“We have a few small air conditioners we can use. We will be in contact with our students if we have to cancel,” Van Duyne said.
Anyone who has concerns about cancellations should email the center at ventnorarts@gmail.com or call 609-823-7959.
Landgraf said the Community Room will remain open and will continue to serve lunches to senior citizens.
The equipment will be delivered on Friday, June 27 and work will likely take a week to 10 days to complete, he said. Equipment will be delivered and a crane will lift it to the roof Friday morning during the time the Ventnor City Farmers Market is open, but police will try to limit the impact on parking along Newport Avenue.
Landgraf said the equipment was ordered weeks ago after a bond ordinance was approved, but delivery was delayed due to supply chain demands.
The county advised that during the temporary closure, patrons may visit other branches of the library system or take advantage of 24/7 digital access.
For more information about Atlantic County Library System branch locations and hours and available services, visit www.atlanticlibrary.org.
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