Library System Sets Record Straight and Invites Borough to Collaborate on a Constructive Path Forward

September 8, 2026 — While continuing to provide interim services and community outreach throughout Somerville, Somerset County Library System of New Jersey (SCLSNJ) is seeking a meeting with Somerville Borough leadership to discuss possible library service solutions. SCLSNJ leadership has officially reached out to Mayor Brian Gallagher, Council Liaison Theresa Bonner, and Library Advisory Board (LAB) President Beth Vroom to schedule a collaborative meeting.

"Our hope in meeting with Borough leadership is to have an open and honest dialogue so we can move forward together in delivering full library services to the Somerville community as quickly and safely as possible," said Peter Bromberg, SCLSNJ Library Director.

Prioritizing Health and Facility Transparency

Clarifying the decision to temporarily suspend operations at the Somerville facility, Bromberg noted that the quick timeline of the action was driven by serious concerns for employee health and safety.

"While discussions were already underway with the Borough about the need for a new location, a serious spike in documented and recurring staff health issues required immediate action," Bromberg stated. "Out of ten Somerville staff members, nearly all experienced ongoing physical symptoms, including respiratory issues, migraines, and skin irritation, all of which have now subsided after relocating their work location to the Bridgewater branch."

While recent tests failed to identify mold as the trigger to staff health problems, the precise environmental trigger causing staff illnesses continues to remain unidentified and unaddressed. Consequently, library leadership believes that reopening the physical space prematurely would compromise employee and patron safety.

Bromberg noted that Somerville Borough was made aware in early July 2026 of the Library’s need to relocate because staff were struggling to meet community needs, and since the consolidation of all services to the main level, staff did not have any functional, private workspaces. The Borough understood and expressed support for the need to find a new location by the end of the year, if not sooner.” Bromberg added. "However, the initial timeline for relocation was accelerated due to the need to prioritize staff health and well-being. This was no one’s chosen timeline, but this was the responsible, moral, and ethical decision given ongoing symptoms experienced by staff.”

The Borough initially expressed surprise but “no immediate concerns” with the advanced timeline for suspending services. At the July 23 Library Advisory Board meeting, members of the community offered strong support of the decision, as did members of the Library Advisory Board, some of whom stressed that the Library space wouldn’t be suitable for occupancy without significant investment, given the ongoing issues that have been documented over many years. Likewise, the Mayor expressed no opposition, and spoke of his desire to work together collaboratively to find a new location.

“It came as a complete surprise to the Library when the Mayor declined to respond to email and phone messages seeking to work together,” said Bromberg, “Based on his previous public comments, and communications with the Borough Administrator, we thought we were all on the same page, and would be working together on behalf of the residents to find a suitable new location as soon as possible.”

As far back as August 2025, when mold and air quality issues required the permanent closing of the lower level, Somerville Borough Administrator Kevin Sluka acknowledged issues with the space, writing: “The Borough will seek to remediate the areas that have (mold) elevations to ensure that they are within acceptable limits, but that should not stifle the process to have the basement operations relocated, as this has been an ongoing concern for over 20 years…Despite efforts, the weather is likely to continue to cause dampness which temporary (sic) could affect the air quality at any given time following an event.”

Bromberg added, “The Library is in the business of sharing facts and telling the truth. To ensure full transparency, we have posted a complete timeline of communications between the Library and the Borough on our website." To review the full timeline and access up to date information regarding the branch, visit sclsnj.org/somerville.

Commission Alignment and Public Engagement

While it has been alleged that there has not been alignment with Library leadership and the Library Commission, the decisions made by Library leadership carry the unanimous endorsement of the Library’s governing body.

"The SCLSNJ Library Commission is fully aware, aligned, and in complete support of the Library leadership’s decisions regarding the suspension of services at the Somerville branch," said SCLSNJ Library Commission Chair Roberta Karpinecz.

Reflecting on public feedback from the September 2 Commission meeting, Karpinecz reaffirmed the library’s dedication to community service and open governance: "We heard the public, and at the core, all anybody wants is the library. We want to sit down with the Borough to talk about how we move forward and work together.”

Uninterrupted Access to Library Services

Despite the suspension of services at the 35 West End location, SCLSNJ staff continue to deliver robust programming and resources directly to Somerville residents.

"The staff is working tirelessly to make services as accessible as possible—from continuing local programs and maintaining the book drop to expanding home borrowing and providing a wealth of back-to-school online tutoring resources," said Jen Sulligan, Somerville Branch Manager.

Services available to Somerville residents continue to include:

• Back-to-School Resources: Now that school is back in session, students can access digital research databases, homework help, and online tutoring. In addition, library staff is coordinating directly with area schools and local organizations to extend reading and educational initiatives.
• Programs & Events in Downtown Somerville: A robust schedule of library programs, storytimes, and community events is actively taking place throughout downtown Somerville.
• Home Borrowing Services: Residents who are unable to travel to neighboring Bridgewater or Manville branches may enroll in direct home delivery.
• Book Return Drop Box: The book drop at 35 West End Avenue remains open and available for all returns.

Public Updates and Timeline Information

To keep community members fully informed, SCLSNJ has established a Somerville information page featuring status updates, frequently asked questions, and the complete record of communications between the Library and Somerville Borough.

For more information visit sclsnj.org/somerville

About Somerset County Library System of New Jersey

Somerset County Library System of New Jersey (SCLSNJ) partners with you to connect, to explore, to share, and to discover. Together we enrich lives, expand knowledge, and strengthen communities. SCLSNJ serves the following communities in Somerset County: Bound Brook, Branchburg, Bridgewater, Green Brook, Hillsborough, Manville, Millstone, Montgomery, North Plainfield, Peapack and Gladstone, Rocky Hill, Somerville, South Bound Brook, Warren Township, and Watchung. Visit SCLSNJ.org.

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