Residents of all ages came together with State, County and local officials on Friday, March 13, 2026 for a special event to commemorate the library improvements and the branch’s 25th anniversary.
The 18,000-square-foot library is part of the Burlington County Library System and is one of the largest and most popular branches in the system. It first opened in 2001 after the previous libraries in Browns Mills and Pemberton Borough were merged.
In 2025, the branch hosted 525 programs and had more than 90,000 visits and over 50,000 check-outs from its collection.
“Our libraries are spaces for communities. They are places to gather, meet, interact, learn and to play,” said Burlington County Library Commission Chairman Jonathan Chebra. “The improvements to the Pemberton Library were a strategic investment in this community. Working together we created an improved space that will allow the library to better serve local residents.”
“People go to the libraries to learn and to spark their curiosity and their imagination. That happens in our Burlington County libraries every day and they continue to make long-lasting impacts,” added Burlington County Commissioner Tyler J. Burrell. “Today we celebrate the Pemberton Library and its value as a trusted resource for residents in Pemberton and the surrounding communities. We’re also celebrating the improvements to this branch and the exciting new opportunities they have created for library users.”
The renovations and enhancements were completed over the past two years with funding from two state grants. The first grant was a $1 million New Jersey Special Purpose Grant secured by State Sen. Troy Singleton in the FY2023 State Budget for improvements at Pemberton and other BCLS branches. The library used a $250,000 portion of that grant for improvements to the Pemberton Library Children’s Room. The second grant was a $750,000 Community Center Digital Connect grant awarded to the Burlington County Library System by the New Jersey State Library.
“Thanks to these public dollars, we were able to reimagine the Pemberton Library to offer more ways for families and the community to learn, create and connect with one another while also offering vital support to those it serves,” said Burlington County Library System Director Ranjna Das. “The redesign in Pemberton also allows our staff to partner with local community organizations like Virtua Health, Deborah Heart and Lung Center, CAMcare, ASPIRE Youth and America Works to provide additional services, including employment and career support, health screenings and telehealth offerings.”
Nearly the entire Pemberton Library interior space was renovated and enhanced to make better use of the available space. The improvements include:
- A redesigned Children’s Room that includes a new vibrant paint scheme, carpeting, modern shelving and furniture, a LEGO Discovery table and other new play equipment;
- A new Children’s Learning Center to host programs focused on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) initiatives and digital skill building for children and their families;
- New small-group meeting rooms that can be used for one-to-one consultations with library staff and community experts, telehealth appointments, virtual job interviews and other on-site virtual meetings;
- A new technology lab to host programs, learning opportunities, technology classes and library users pursuing personal learning goals;
- A new teen tech lounge to expand access to library and partner resources;
- Redesign and repurposing of the library reference desk to create a centrally-located reference/circulation services point featuring public-access computers, lounge seating and general use worktables.
Friday’s event also spotlighted some of the new library resources available at the branch, including a 3D printer, laser cutter, embroidery equipment and children’s STEM kits.
Additional library improvements planned
In addition to the renovations at the Pemberton Library, the $1 million New Jersey Special Purpose Grant secured by Singleton will also help fund planned improvements at the Burlington County Library System’s Main Branch Library in Westampton and the Cinnaminson and Evesham branches.
“Libraries are more than just a place to find books. They are pillars of our communities that serve as repositories of knowledge and as locations where residents can connect to an assortment of resources,” said Senator Singleton. “We want all Burlington County libraries to be modernized and equipped to meet residents’ needs. I’m excited by the improvements made to the Pemberton branch and I’m looking forward to seeing the updates planned in Westampton, Cinnaminson and Evesham move from drawing board to reality.”
The improvements planned at the Cinnaminson Branch Library include renovations to the main floor restrooms to make them accessible and redesigning some of the existing spaces to create a dedicated technology center and teen room.
The improvements being planned at the Evesham Library include retrofitting the existing space to increase the size of the library’s public meeting and activity room, improvements to the children’s room, and adding a technology center.
Work at the Evesham and Cinnaminson libraries is expected to begin later this year.
“Burlington County libraries are proven difference-makers and it’s exciting to see how they have continued to evolve to better serve residents and their varied needs,” said Assemblywoman Andrea Katz. “The improvements to the Pemberton Library allow it to offer additional services and remain a trusted resource for all users, from local school children and seniors to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst service members and their families.”
“Libraries are centers for our communities to use in ways that benefit residents and their varying interests,” said Assemblyman Balvir Singh. “It’s gratifying to see the improvements here and at other libraries in the county come to fruition. These are worthwhile projects that wouldn’t happen without state support, and they benefit residents of all ages, from young children to retirees.”
Originally published by the Burlington County Public Information Office