Approximately $56,000 has been raised so far out of an $85,000 fund drive goal to furnish and supply the new Hayes branch of the Gloucester Library, according to a report, made to library director Diane Rebertus, by Betsy Phillips, chairman of the Citizen Committee for Point Branch Library, at a June 29 committee meeting.

Plans are continuing to take shape for the relocation of the Gloucester Point branch to the York River Crossing shopping center, with a "soft opening" planned for some time in August.

A fundraising committee began meeting in April, and a number of generous donations have already been received. Individuals and groups can sponsor rooms or selected areas at the new branch.

Rebertus said the new branch will have approximately double the square feet of the existing branch. The new space has more than 3,900 square feet, she said, and will allow additional programming to be offered. Also, Rebertus said that the popular Halloween program "Spooky Lot,&qu...