A statement from the New Jersey State Library regarding the Library Construction Bond Application Deadline:
On November 7, 2017, New Jersey voters approved a landmark new construction program, the New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act, which authorizes the issuance of $125 million in State General Obligation Bonds to provide grants for the construction, reconstruction, development, extension, improvement and furnishing of public libraries in the State of New Jersey.
The Library Construction Bond Act (LCBA) team has heard from a number of library administrators regarding the possibility of COVID-19 related issues impacting their ability to meet the current grant application deadline.
Due to the unprecedented interruption in operations caused by the coronavirus outbreak, and specifically for the benefit of the applicants who are working to develop and submit quality applications— while continuing to serve their communities— the New Jersey State Library, in consultation with the Governor’s Office, has made the decision to extend the deadline for submission of the first round of Library Construction Bond Act applications by 60 days to June 5, 2020. As a result, it will not be possible, as originally anticipated, to submit a list of approved projects to the Legislature in Fiscal Year 2020. The State expects, but can make no assurances, that the list will be submitted to the Legislature in mid-September. To alleviate the burden on libraries that are already under strain from the impacts of this outbreak we feel we must afford applicants this benefit during an extremely difficult period.
Library directors have been asked to notify consultants, architects, library building consultants and others who may have been assisting with applications of this new deadline.