BLAIRSTOWN TOWNSHIP, NJ (Warren County) – Warren County Commissioner Director James R. Kern III toured the construction site of the Catherine Dickson Hoffman Branch of the Warren County Library System with Blairstown Mayor Rob Moorhead and Deputy Mayor Walter Orcutt.
Construction to rebuild and enhance major parts of the county’s northernmost library branch began in December 2023 and is slated for completion in spring 2025. Originally built 40 years ago, the Catherine Dickson Hoffman Branch has undergone two additions since the mid-1980s, resulting in a facility comprised of three distinct sections repurposed for library use. After decades of heavy usage, multiple building systems had reached the end of their useful life, necessitating substantial upgrades.
The current reconstruction project involves removing prior additions to rebuild and replace the building’s roof, floor, and several systems, while adding a total of 6,000 square feet, bringing the total square footage to more than 13,000. Enhancements will also include improved ADA accessibility, upgraded security, new meeting and community rooms, and contemporary areas for work and learning, including a dedicated “makerspace” for hands-on, creative projects.
“The renovations to the Catherine Dickson Hoffman Library demonstrate our board’s commitment to the library system and our respect for taxpayers. Thanks to responsible budgeting, we can undertake this massive project without borrowing any money,” said Commissioner Director Kern. He added, “Once complete, the branch will be a valuable asset for residents of all ages, serving as a true community center for North Warren. I can’t wait for the public to see this project’s completion.”
“Residents will be very pleased when they see this library open,” said Blairstown Mayor Rob Moorhead. “The space will be significantly larger, and the investment in the library’s infrastructure is impressive. What it means to be a library is evolving, and this building will play a major role in that future.”
The Warren County Library System has 12,960 registered active borrowers, with approximately 23% of those patrons calling the Catherine Dickson Hoffman Branch home. In circulation terms, the branch historically ranks second, behind the Southwest Branch, which serves a larger population.
During the site tour, Warren County Public Works Director Emily A. Hammer addressed issues with the previously failing roof, floor, and electrical systems, explaining, “There were too many issues to manage from a maintenance perspective. It became more cost-effective to rebuild rather than attempt to keep patching everything until critical failure.”
Hammer added, “Given the high level of foot traffic at the branch, consolidation of the library system was not a viable option; it was essential to rebuild and upgrade the branch.”
She also noted that while the new building will be 100% electric, highly efficient systems will improve energy and cost efficiency. The project includes a solar field that, when complete, will power the branch, contributing to overall cost savings and sustainability.
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