The East Trenton Library Community Center
The former East Trenton Library, located at 701 N Clinton Avenue, is a historic place and a beloved community facility. The structure actively served the community as a branch library for nearly 8 decades until it was abruptly shut down due to a City budget crisis in 2009. Community residents, citing the library’s importance as an educational and community social hub, have been advocating for its reopening ever since.
ETC is currently working alongside residents, NJCC, and the City of Trenton to restore this historic structure as a community center that focuses on education, business and job enhancement activities, and another community programming. In 2020, NJCC received a grant from the NJ Historic Trust to renovate the structure and return it to use as the East Trenton Library Community Center in partnership with the City. In 2021, the Trenton City Council voted to approve an agreement granting an additional grant towards restoring the historic East Trenton Library. Phase 1 of this 2 Phase renovation will cover exterior renovations, systems upgrades, interior renovations to the first floor, and the addition of two ADA accessible bathrooms. Phase 2 will focus on renovating the second floor. After construction, the facility will be operated by the City, which owns the building, with programming by ETC and others. During 2022, prelimary work, including construction planning and debris removal, has been completed. As of July 2022, a contractor has been selected and official groundbreaking of the property has begun.
The building has a tremendous history, from its original use starting in 1796 as the home of the son of Revolutionary War General Philemon Dickinson, to its service as a home for Civil War orphans, a factory, and a school. In the 1920s, the building was being used by the Blue Triangle Club, an organization affiliated with the local YWCA, that served the community as a classroom, library, and child clinic. In 1926, the building was transformed into a branch of the Trenton Public Library system. This structure is the oldest building still standing in the East Trenton neighborhood.
Having the East Trenton library building functioning again will help meet the expanding space needs for the community activities catalyzed by the East Trenton Collaborative along with community leaders and other partners. It will contain books, reading tables, flexible work areas, and extensive computer and internet connectivity designed for job search, research, and a range of training and business support activities. As an educational and job support center, it will also be the site of English classes for neighborhood residents looking to improve their English-speaking abilities.
The rehab of the library building will catalyze further revitalization due to its location on N Clinton Ave across from the Assunpink Creek and George Page Park (soon to become the Assunpink Creek Greenway), right in the heart of the East Trenton Neighborhood. As the site is restored to vibrancy, it will attract and support commercial redevelopment along N. Clinton Avenue as well as supporting patrons of local businesses and visitors to the park.
Quick Facts
Staff Contact
If you would like additional information about this program, please contact Caitlin Fair.
