Not Even a Red Cross Logo Can Save New Jersey's Clara Barton Branch

Edison Public Library

Link to April 27 myCentralJersey.com article, "Edison library patrons sad about slated closing of Clara Barton branch".

Excerpt: The 5,772-square-foot building belongs to the township and the Edison Public Library receives appropriations from the township to run the libraries, Mansbach said.

The costs to maintain everything have gone up, she said.

"Eighty percent of the budget goes toward staff," she said.

However, none of the library's staff will be laid off, Mansbach said. Instead they will be absorbed by the other two branches of the Edison Public Library system, which will continue to serve the entire community.

Mansbach said the library's closing will lead to savings of about $100,000, mainly from maintenance costs of the building. The library was extensively refurbished a few years ago.

But here's what really caught Retiring Guy's attention.