Camden Free Public Library Main Building

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}

{{Infobox NRHP

| name = Camden Free Public Library Main Building

| nrhp_type =

| image = CamdenFreePublicLibraryMain2013 01.JPG

| caption =

| location = 616 Broadway
Camden, New Jersey{{cite web|url=http://www.philadelphiabuildings.org/pab/app/pj_display.cfm/109988 |title=Camden Free Public Library |publisher=Philadelphiabuildings.org |date=1992-10-15 |accessdate=2015-10-21}}

| coordinates = {{coord|39|56|14|N|75|7|6|W|display=inline,title}}

| locmapin = USA New Jersey Camden County#New Jersey#USA

| built = 1903

| architect = Herbert D. Hale
Henry G. Morse

| added = October 15, 1992

| area =

| refnum = 92001385{{cite web | title= National Registers of Historic Places - Camden County | url= http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/nj/camden/state.html | publisher= NRHP | page= 1 of 10 | date= | accessdate= 2011-09-25}}

| designated_other1_name = New Jersey Register of Historic Places

| designated_other1_abbr = NJRHP

| designated_other1_link = New Jersey Register of Historic Places

| designated_other1_date = September 2, 1992

| designated_other1_number = 894{{cite web | title=New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places - Camden County | url= http://www.nj.gov/dep/hpo/1identify/nrsr_lists/camden.pdf | publisher=New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection - Historic Preservation Office | page= 2 of 10 | date= September 6, 2011 | accessdate= 2011-09-25}}

| designated_other1_num_position = bottom

| designated_other1_color = #ffc94b

}}

The Camden Free Public Library Main Building is the first former main library of the Camden, New Jersey public library system. Designed by Herbert D. Hale and Henry G. Morse,{{cite web | title = Carnegie Library | publisher = | date = | url = http://www.dvrbs.com/camden/CamdenNJ-CarnegieLibrary.htm | accessdate = 2011-09-26 | archive-date = 2011-11-29 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111129084948/http://www.dvrbs.com/camden/CamdenNJ-CarnegieLibrary.htm | url-status = dead }} the building was constructed with a grant from the Carnegie Corporation and opened in 1905.{{cite book|last=Bobinski|first=George S.|title=Carnegie Libraries: Their History and Impact on American Public Library Development|publisher=American Library Association|location=Chicago|year=1969|isbn=0-8389-0022-4|ref=Bobinski}}*{{cite book|last=Jones|first=Theodore|title=Carnegie Libraries Across America|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|location=New York|year=1997|isbn=0-471-14422-3|ref=Jones}} It closed in 1986 with the relocation of the library's main branch to the former South Jersey Gas, Electric and Traction Company Office Building. In 1992, the building was placed on the state and national registers of historic places. The building has fallen into state of serious disrepair.{{cite web | title = Camden Free Public Library Main Building | publisher = Waymarking | date = January 2, 2010 | url = http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM80C4_Camden_Free_Public_Library_Main_Building_Camden_NJ | accessdate = 2011-09-26 | quote = }} In 2003, funding was found for its stabilization, with the hope that it would be preserved and re-used.{{cite web|url=http://articles.philly.com/2003-04-25/news/25475651_1_restoration-project-friends-group-building |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120917072237/http://articles.philly.com/2003-04-25/news/25475651_1_restoration-project-friends-group-building |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 17, 2012 |title=Camden library may get new life The site that Carnegie built will be studied with an eye toward a rehab|publisher=Articles.philly.com |date=2003-04-25 |accessdate=2013-07-05}}

The city's once extensive library system has been beleaguered by financial difficulties. In 2010, it threatened to close but was incorporated by the county library system.{{cite web|url=http://articles.philly.com/2010-08-06/news/24972581_1_library-board-three-libraries-library-book |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111134655/http://articles.philly.com/2010-08-06/news/24972581_1_library-board-three-libraries-library-book |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 11, 2012 |title=Camden preparing to close its libraries, destroy books |publisher=Articles.philly.com |date=2010-08-06 |accessdate=2013-07-05}} Nonetheless, the main branch did close in February 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/02/main_branch_of_camden_public_l.html |title=Main branch of Camden public library set to close |publisher=NJ.com |date= 11 February 2011|accessdate=2013-07-05}}