The Free Public Library of Monroe Township is busy squeezing the most out of every inch of its cramped Main Street headquarters.

For several years, library and township officials have been working to find a new, much larger library headquarters. But while several proposed sites have been discussed over the last several years, no new site has been agreed upon to date.

Still, Elizabeth Lillie, library director, remains optimistic that a new home for the library is not far off.

"I'm always hopeful," Lillie said. "But I live in anticipation.

"This entire facility was originally considered as only a temporary library," Lillie said. "There's always been that goal, anticipation and hopefulness that a facility or site will present itself."

"The growth in Monroe Township has been phenomenal," said Lillie, director for the past year but a library employee since 1987. "Every aspect of township activity has been affected. That means the library too."

The township's library dates back to the 1870s, but for the past 28 years has been headquartered in a nondescript, 10,800-square-foot former five-and-dime store on South Main Street.

The facility became so congested that in 1992, the municipality purchased a vacated bank next door and moved its children's collection there.

But the township sold the bank building to Newfield National Bank in 1996 and the children's collection was returned to the basement of the original building, making the congestion even worse.

Still, the library collection continues to grow to reflect and serve the changing community.

The library presently has approximately 70,000 books. In addition, there are an estimated 10,000 videocassettes, DVDs, books on audio tape and other media and materials.

In contrast, a decade ago the library collection was closer to 5,500 volumes.

Lillie said the space constraints have forced some creative changes.

"A couple years ago we created our archives section," Lillie said. "There were a number of very good fiction works that maybe didn't go out as often as the best sellers, but people might want to take them out. These are books that still have a readership.

"Rather than getting rid of these books, we created an archives section and moved them to one spot in the back of our storage room," she said.

Lillie said selecting books to be moved into the archives is a difficult thing.

"We have to be very careful and it's very hard," Lillie said. "You feel like you're parting with a family member."

Lillie said the library's collection has also become increasingly diverse in recent years.

"Our children's librarian as well as our technical services librarian have, with farsightedness, tried to develop special collections or look to individual interest that can become more group interest," she said.

For example, she said the library has developed a collection of books from African-American authors.

"In our juvenile collection, we get requests for books written by African-American authors and for books whose protagonist, or main character, is African American. These are role models for children," she said.

Other collections have centered on Christian or inspirational fiction works.

Jennifer Schillig, the children's librarian, said she tries to get a cross-section of special interests when she orders books.

"There are a lot of good books out there that reflect the growing diversity in the United States in general and in local communities in particular," she said.

Schillig said there is a greater variety of diversified books from which libraries can choose.

"And they're often very well written," she said. "I've also found that in many children's books there's an emphasis on stronger female protagonists."

Lillie said the library's collection is evolving, just as is the township.

"I think in any public library you go to, the primary objective is to reflect representatively the interests of the community that you serve," she said. "You can't judge. You have to reflect and respond to those interests. It's dynamic.

"It not unlike running a business," she said. "If you have a product no one wants, you're out of business."

Patronage at the library also has steadily increased in recent years.

Lillie said 160,000 patrons visited the facility in 2001.

Furthermore, in 2001 nearly 1,000 new borrower's cards were issued - an average of nearly 80 new cards issued per month.

"And thus far in 2002, we're averaging two to four new cards above last year's monthly average," Lillie said.

The library averages a circulation of between 9,000 and 10,000 items per month.

But Lillie sees only bigger and brighter days ahead for the library.

"The feeling is very positive," she said.

"It's like an explosion here and we're all trying to keep up with it," Lillie said. "But I like to think of the possibilities here."

• Profile: Monroe

• Long-awaited building boom is the byword
  Monroe stamds at a crossroads between a formerly rural town and a rapidly developing suburban community.

• Schools experience growing pains
  By 2004, Monroe student enrollment is expected to jump by 250 children per year.

• Cultural, athletic pursuits on the increase
  The Williamstown Performing Arts Center expands the scope and quality of cultural activities for area residents.

• Scattered sites attract new enterprises in Monroe
  For Gloucester County's second-largest community, commercial development remains a challenge.

• Programs cater to burgeoning senior population
  Monroe senior citizens keep occupied with trips and social activities.

• Expansion date remains indefinite while library copes
  The Monroe Township Public Library continues to offer residents a lot in a little space.

• Housing explosion has hit its stride
  New houses are popping up like spring flowers everywhere in Monroe.

• What do you think will be different in Monroe in 2010