LCBA Feature: Cape May City

Published on February 24, 2025

The new Cape May City branch of the Cape May County Library System at the Historic Franklin Street School

At the NJ State Library (NJSL), we are thrilled to see the many completed projects that were funded by the New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act. This month’s featured library project highlights a new library branch in Cape May County!

The new Cape May City branch at the Historic Franklin Street School is 16,000 square feet, a significant increase from the previous location, which was 4,200 square feet. This building project not only provided much-needed additional space for increased library events and resources, but also preserved a building of particular significance to the African-American history in Cape May County. Once a segregated elementary school for African-American children in Cape May, the building is now a contributing element in the Cape May National Landmark Historic District. It’s also listed on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places and is a designated location along the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail. 

The NJ State Library contributed $3.4 million to the Cape May County Library System for this project, through the NJ Library Construction Bond Act. Also contributing to the project were the National Park Service’s African American Civil Rights Historic Preservation Fund in the amount of $500,000, and the New Jersey Historic Trust in the amount of $595,000.

This project cost was funded by equal contributions from the County of Cape May, the Cape May County Library Commission, and the City of Cape May.  This unique partnership emphasizes both the remarkable nature of this project, and the positive impact local government collaboration has on the community.

This extraordinary project wouldn’t have been possible without the exceptional teamwork put forth by the County of Cape May, the City of Cape May, and the Cape May County Library Commission, as well as the contributions made by the NJ State Library, the National Park Service, and the Historic Preservation Fund. 

Preserving the History of the Franklin Street School

The project goal was to create a 21st-century public library, while preserving the history of the Franklin Street School, and fostering culture, diversity, education, and library services for the citizens of Cape May and the surrounding communities.

The library offers a wide variety of programs, resources, services, and events to enrich the lives of the people of Cape May County. The new library has a demonstration kitchen, a dedicated Reading Room, a Computer Room, a large Event Room, a Teen Room, and a Quiet Study Room, all of which were lacking in the previous smaller location.  

The African American history of Cape May and the Franklin Street School will be highlighted, through a historic interpretive plan, which will include a webpage, educational programming, and already installed interpretive panels. 

Whether you’re visiting for work or for leisure, the Cape May City Library has something for everyone.

Check out the photo gallery of the renovations below!