Somerset Library to Close After Mold Concerns Spark Dispute Between Officials

A well-known public library in Somerset County is preparing to close its current location at the end of July after library officials raised concerns about the condition of the building and the safety of its indoor environment. The decision has led to a public disagreement between library leaders and local government officials, with both sides offering different views on the seriousness of the reported health risks.

The Somerville branch of the Somerset County Library System of New Jersey will permanently stop operating from its current building on West End Avenue on July 31. According to library officials, the closure comes after years of ongoing building problems that have made it increasingly difficult to provide safe and reliable services to both visitors and employees.

Library administrators said the aging facility has reached a point where it can no longer effectively serve as a public library. They explained that older buildings often become more expensive to maintain as major systems wear out, and they believe the current location is no longer suitable for everyday operations.

The decision follows months of growing concerns over indoor air quality, moisture issues, and signs of mold inside the building. Library officials said they have already made several efforts to keep services available despite these challenges. Last year, they moved all public services to the building’s main floor after problems forced the lower level to close. However, they said the reduced space created operational difficulties and made it harder to meet the needs of the community.

According to the library system, water intrusion has been a long-term problem at the property. The building temporarily closed for several weeks in 2025 while officials addressed environmental concerns, but the children’s area on the lower floor never reopened afterward. Library representatives said the ongoing moisture problems contributed to mold growth, and some staff members later reported health-related symptoms that they believed were connected to the building conditions.

While library leaders maintain that closing the building is the responsible decision, Somerville Mayor Brian Gallagher has publicly challenged the explanation behind the closure. In a letter sent to library officials, the mayor questioned the decision to cite health concerns without conducting new environmental testing before announcing the closure.

Gallagher argued that the borough had previously arranged its own inspections and claimed those results did not show indoor conditions to be more harmful than the outdoor environment. He expressed concern that making public statements about possible health hazards without updated professional testing could create unnecessary public fear and lead to misleading conclusions.

The mayor also stated that reports of health symptoms alone should not replace scientific environmental testing performed by qualified experts. To address the disagreement, the borough plans to conduct additional mold and air quality inspections and share those findings with the library system. Gallagher said that if testing confirms serious problems, the borough will respond appropriately. However, if the results do not support the concerns, he believes the public record should reflect that outcome as well.

Library Director Peter Bromberg defended the decision in a written response, saying there was clear evidence that action was necessary. He explained that employees had experienced health concerns and that visible substances appearing to be mold had been observed inside the building. He also noted that previous professional testing had confirmed the presence of mold in the facility.

According to Bromberg, library leadership had a responsibility to place employee health and public safety first rather than continue operating under conditions they believed were unsafe. He said recent periods of heavy rain and high humidity only increased concerns about the building’s condition and reinforced the decision to close the location.

Despite the closure, the Somerset County Library System emphasized that library services for Somerville residents will continue. Staff members currently assigned to the branch will be transferred to the Bridgewater branch after July 31, allowing them to continue serving the public while plans move forward for a future Somerville location.

Library officials said they are actively searching for a replacement site within the community. They have been reviewing potential properties but stressed that no final decision has been made regarding a temporary or permanent location.

The search for a new site has also generated local discussion. Mayor Gallagher expressed concerns that placing a temporary library near a recently opened independent bookstore on West Main Street could unintentionally affect the small business. He encouraged library leaders to carefully consider the possible economic impact before selecting any temporary location.

In response, Bromberg said the library commission has not finalized any relocation plans and has only explored several available properties with the assistance of a commercial broker. He added that community interest in the issue has grown quickly and that preliminary discussions have attracted more public attention than expected.

Library officials also acknowledged the efforts made by the Borough of Somerville over the years to maintain the building. However, they believe repairs alone are no longer enough to support the level of service expected from a modern public library. They remain committed to keeping a library presence in Somerville and say they will continue working with community partners while identifying a suitable new home for the branch.

For local residents, the closure marks the end of an important chapter for one of the community’s longstanding public institutions. Although the current building will close, library leaders say their goal is to restore full library services in Somerville as soon as a safe and appropriate location becomes available.

Sources

• Somerset County Library System of New Jersey (Official Statements)
• Borough of Somerville, New Jersey (Official Communications)