Money woes force closure of NJ city's main library

The latest blow to downtrodden Camden (NJ) came as the downtown branch of the public library was closing for good.

The main branch of the Camden Free Public Library, in a high-ceilinged former bank building, was a victim of the same budget crisis that resulted in layoffs last month of nearly 400 city government employees, including nearly half the police department and one-third of the firefighters. Now, many residents of this city that ranks among the nation's poorest and most crime-ridden will need to search elsewhere for access to computers or books. The men who play a trash-talking brand of chess in front of the big windows say they'll take their boards to the one remaining branch, a bus ride away. Prentiss Truluck, one of the chess players, said that remaining library - modern but remote - will be stressed with more users.