The city was once home to two Carnegie libraries, the Main BuildingCamden, New Jersey Carnegie Library, DVRBS.com. Accessed October 13, 2015. and the Cooper Library in Johnson Park.Cooper Branch Library at Johnson Park, Johnson Park Restoration. Accessed October 13, 2015. The city's once extensive library system, beleaguered by financial difficulties, threatened to close at the end of 2010, but was incorporated into the county system.Katz, Matt. "Camden preparing to close its libraries, destroy books", The Philadelphia Inquirer, August 6, 2010. Accessed October 13, 2015. "Camden is preparing to permanently shut its library system by the end of the year, potentially leaving residents of the impoverished city among the few in the United States unable to borrow a library book free. At an emotional but sparsely attended meeting of the library board Thursday, its president, Martin McKernan, said the city's three libraries cannot stay open past Dec. 31 because of severe budget cuts by Mayor Dana L. Redd."Holt, Bob. "Camden library system given hope by mayor's plan", NJ Newsroom, August 10, 2010. Accessed October 13, 2015. "Officials in New Jersey have apparently found a way to save Camden's public library system in whole or at least part. Mayor Dana Redd said Monday that city officials will look to join the county library system." The main branch closed in February 2011,via Associated Press. "Main branch of Camden public library set to close", The Star-Ledger, February 10, 2011. Accessed October 13, 2015. "The main branch of the Camden Free Public Library, in a high-ceilinged former bank building, was a victim of the same budget crisis that resulted in layoffs last month of nearly 400 city government employees, including nearly half the police department and one-third of the firefighters." and was later reopened by the county in the bottom floor of the Paul Robeson Library at Rutgers University.Camden County Library Branch at Rutgers , Camden County Library System. Accessed October 13, 2015.
