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Ground is broken at East Trenton Library Community Center



That was the nearly universal sentiment Thursday as local and state officials gathered to ceremonially break ground at the historic site that was once the East Trenton Library, and will soon be a Community Center with library services.

Veronica Davis, known in the neighborhood as Queen, was an early advocate for restoring the library. Her five children grew up blocks away from the library branch and spent much time there as kids. She said they all grew up to go on to successful careers, and having access to the programs and books at the East Trenton Library kept them out of trouble.

"East Trenton!" Davis said, enthusiastically about the restoration project. "You have to start somewhere, so we're here and the rest of them will follow. Just like we do with other programs in the community."

"This building is going to change lives," North Ward Councilwoman Jennifer Williams said. "The Phoenix is definitely rising, and it's starting with projects like this."

"Trenton has fought to preserve it and bring it back to life," Mayor Reed Gusciora said of this historic site that has been a part of the community since the late 1700s. "There may be some ghosts in there, but hopefully, they're going to help the children with their afterschool programs."

The East Trenton Library Community Center is expected to open in mid-2024, but could be ready to go earlier, if all the pieces fall into place.

The community center isn't going to be part of the Trenton Public Library system, but will offer library services like computer access, printing, and other technology. The center will also offer programs and services for children and adults alike.

The East Trenton Collaborative, which has been driving the charge to create the community center is looking to create programing that will reflect the needs of the neighborhood.

"A big part of our work has been working with the residents to determine and define what they think is important," said Caitlin Fair, Program Director for the East Trenton Collaborative.

"We're taking time pre-opening to determine what service we'll be offering, finding organizations to partner with that might be able to offer certain types of training," Fair said.

The East Trenton Collaborative will be helping the city run the facility, but the city will take ownership of the building. They plan to roll out some services immediately upon opening, but will constantly evolve as the needs of the community are made clear.

"Nearly everything from this space has come from feedback from our community," Fair said. "We're right here in the neighborhood so we're in constant contact with them... brainstorming ideas for what this building could do and what it will look like once it's open."

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