LEAVE A LEGACY…BUILD A LIBRARY
Mayor Peter Cantu, the Township Committee and the Board
of Trustees of Plainsboro Public Library invite you join a broad based
campaign to build a new library in the Village Center. We hope the information
below will answer many of your questions, but please don’t hesitate
to call the Mayor’s Office, 609-799-0909 or the Library Director
609-275-2897 to explore facts, ideas and dreams that aren’t covered
here! If you prefer, email us: campaign@lmxac.org.
For up to the minute news and information on latest donors, projects,
plans and needs, see Late
Breaking News.
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Plainsboro Public Library’s History
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PLAINSBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY’S HISTORY
From its humble beginnings with five hundred books on four wooden bookshelves in the Court Room at 506 Plainsboro Road, Plainsboro Public Library has come a long, long way. Betty Jeffers, Clarice Knight, Priscilla Stitt and Janet Jeffers wrote the first chapter in Plainsboro’s library history when they opened the doors on June 5, 1964. At the time, there were approximately 350 homes and somewhat more than 1,200 residents in the community.
As Plainsboro’s population grew, an Ad Hoc Library Study Committee explored options to meet the community’s changing library needs. Countless volunteers, spearheaded by Robert and Dorothy Walsh, led a drive to establish a municipalized, professionally staffed library. On November 4, 1986, Plainsboro voters endorsed the referendum by a vote of 1,713 to 291 and plans began in earnest for the current library building, located in the 18 acre municipal complex site.
Plainsboro Public Library is now a major cultural and educational center. It has a distinguished reputation for outstanding programs and has been recognized by both the state of New Jersey, and the American Library Association for its pioneering work in science education. Proud to be the only library in New Jersey that is open all day Sunday, Plainsboro Public Library welcomes innovation, and emphasizes service. It aims to provide a base for all groups to communicate, educate and inspire. In the fifteen years between 1990 and 2005, circulation rose from 32,921 to 282,496.
Statistics confirm that Plainsboro Public Library enjoys
widespread use. In 2005:
• 18,523 people held active library cards
• Library attendance surpassed 200,000
• Over 8,000 detailed reference questions were answered
• Over 13,700 adults attended 110 programs
• Over 11,781 children attended 561 programs
• Per capita and per book circulation rates far exceeded
state and national averages
• Special collections featured Mandarin, Korean, Gujarati
and Hindi materials
OUR CHALLENGE
The current, one-story library, designed to hold 60,000 volumes, now houses
84,595 books, 1,678 videos, 1,881 compact discs, plus miscellaneous periodicals,
files, and media. The onslaught of essential books and computers has crowded
out other valuable services. Frequently, it is impossible to find a place
to sit, much less hope for peace and quiet. Many books and tapes are shelved
in the basement. There is a desperate need for space – space for
more books, for casual reading, for quiet study, for library programs,
and for systematic computer expansion.
After reviewing designs for expansion of the current Library building, the concept of creating an all new structure at the head of Market Square, in the Village Center was proposed. The idea brought an instant rush of enthusiasm and excitement. A win-win concept! The Village Center, designed to be an active hub of civic and commercial activity, could benefit from the presence of the Library and the Library could benefit from being at the Village Center.
The location provides several important community benefits by:
1) Allowing the Library to double its size
2) Providing dynamic civic use to energize theVillage Center
3) Ensuring a platform for educational and cultural leadership for many
years to come
4) Providing much needed space for recreation and cultural activities
by reusing the
current library facility
Plans call for the construction of a three story, 34,000 square foot library
which would hold 125,000 volumes and provide informal reading areas, display
space for art, quiet study rooms, 40 computer stations, a children’s
section with a greatly expanded science/computer center, a local history
room, administrative offices, storage space, and several community meeting
rooms. Situated at the head of Market Square, with its expansive village
green, the new site offers a unique venue for the library’s established
roster of indoor/outdoor community-based programs, including Plainsboro’s
Festival of the Arts, Haunted Tonight, Chinese New Year, Discovery Summers,
Diwali and Holi.
The tentative schedule for design and construction, as proposed by BKSK architects, is:
Design Complete: 10-1-06
Construction Starts: 7-1-07
Construction Complete: 1-1-09
Plans are nearing final form, and will be mounted here shortly. In brief, they call for an active, fluid first floor with expanded computer offerings, a small café, gallery and passive nature garden for outdoor use. The second floor will bring back the much needed quiet space for research and study, with a History Room for archives and seminars and six individual study rooms for individual and small group use. The third floor will be home to the Children’s area, with program room and Science Center. Two small outdoor areas will be available for both children’s activities as well as casual open air use by all ages.
Main Entrance, facing Village Square on Van Doren Street
Rear Entrance, facing Wilson Lane
The cost of the new library will be approximately $ 10.5 million. In order to meet this need the Plainsboro Public Library will be conducting a capital Campaign with a minimum goal of $1.5 million. Major support has already been given by Sharbell Development Corporation, Princeton University, Firmenich, Novo Nordisk, Verizon, Gale Corporation , Saul Ewing and The Friends of Plainsboro Public Library. For an up to the minute listing of donors and an overview of the campaign’s progress, please click on the Late Breaking News, on this website!
The generosity and resources of individuals, families and businesses is vital for the Library to meet the growing community needs and expectations. We invite you to join in this vital campaign: Leave a Legacy. Build a Library. Your financial commitment will assure that your Library will have:
• Continuing quality service by our dedicated staff;
• The latest technology to provide the community with the most accurate
information;
• A place that you can use for any of your educational needs;
• A continuum of programs and services for you, your family, and
your business
• A facility to enhance and improve the quality of life in our community.
$250,000: Art Gallery The Library has won acclaim for its professional art exhibits and the unique teaching nature of its gallery. All artists who exhibit are required to present a public program demonstrating or discussing their techniques. Most exhibiters participate in the Library’s Festival of the Arts, a giant community event where fine and performing artists encourage people of all ages to come together, stretch their imaginations and make art.
In the course of any given year, visitors might have the
opportunity to explore such diverse work as local resident Bob Justin’s
found art masks, which have toured the globe in USIA exhibits, or witness
delicate Chinese calligraphy by Hsu Dan, whose work hangs in the People’s
Great Hall in Beijing, China. Collaborative projects with the school district
celebrate youth art AND afford opportunities for young artists to work
side by side with professional artists.
$250,000 Science Center Plainsboro Public Library has won the Fyan award,
American Library Association’s most prestigious award, for launching
the innovative Science Center and sponsoring programs as varied as preschool
science story hours, robotics, molecular biology and star gazing. By engaging
parents, and presenting exciting science activities seven days a week,
the Library makes a conscious effort to address the current crisis in
science education.
Regular science and invention competitions garner broad participation from all age groups in the community. An entire generation has grown up on the “Take Apart” center in the Children’s Room. Indeed we were proud to receive recently an essay entitled: Everything I know about computers, I learned at the Plainsboro Public Library’s take apart table.
The new building is designed to integrate equipment, space and programming throughout the children’s area to greatly facilitate the well established tradition of informal science education.
$250,000 Community Health Education Center The Library envisions
an active
Center on the main floor where health monitoring equipment such as automatic
blood pressure cuffs, together with online medical databases and print
materials are readily available. The Library already sponsors quarterly
blood drives and will use the Health Education Center to radiate information
and services that encourage health savvy life styles.
$100,000 History Room Active in the documentation and preservation of Plainsboro’s history, the Library would like to expand the capabilities of its current History Room to house accessible archival materials, exhibits, Plainsboro History, and rare books. Three prized photography collections (Plainsboro: Then and Now, Plainsboro from on High and Totally Trenton: A Modern Look Back ) and various community projects capturing current history would be housed in this area and rotate on exhibit. The History Room would also serve as an additional seminar room for small public meetings, classes, and workshops.
$100,000 Science Park The Library is eager to facilitate a community-build Science Park. This area, while serving as a playground, would offer equipment which demonstrates various scientific principles, thereby allowing kids to learn while they play. While these parks are common for museums and schools, research indicates this would be the first community backed science park in the country. The facility would enhance the Library’s Science Center and further engage families in informal science education.
$100,000 Community Room/Auditorium Central to the mission
of the Library is life long learning. The New Community Room will offer
facilities to support and expand the extensive roster of community program
offerings. The room will be equipped with a kitchen, storage area, coat
room, platforms, and advanced technology for corporate conferencing. It
will allow for outside programs to conclude after library hours.
$100,000 Volunteer Office Since its founding, the Library has depended
on
the generosity and talent of numerous volunteers. Thousands of dollars
are saved each year, as our volunteers—both young and old—
tackle work that is frequently the responsibility of professional librarians
in other systems. Experience has proven that volunteer contributions are
greatly enhanced by having a comfortable, efficient, dedicated area from
which to work.
$50,000 Individual study rooms (6). Small, soundproof, internet-accessible- rooms will be available for quiet study and research. With the number of mid-life, mid career students on the rise, and distance learning options expanding at a dizzying rate, these rooms are expected to be in constant use.
$50,000 Techtonic Rolling Ball Sculpture In conjunction with the Library’s role as both science and art educator, plans call for installing a rolling ball sculpture. This will likely be located on the third floor, to enhance the Science Center facility as well as the Tower functions. Similar devices are located in the New York Port Authority Building, the Zippo Museum and The Franklin Institute.
$25,000 Artwork To create an environment of culture and art, the architects are including a variety of locations for the secure and attractive installation of original artwork.
$25,000 Café Adjacent to the Gallery, creating a pleasant corner in which to retreat and refuel, plans call for a small café. Whether it be a tired mom, waiting for the robotics program to finish, or an enervated mentor, catching a cup of java before hitting the road, the café/gallery area will offer sustenance and enrichment.
$10,000 Lounge seating areas (3). Several areas on the first and second floors will be designed for sheltered, comfortable lounge seating with the capability of displaying artwork and special interest collections that represent diverse cultures within the community.
$10,000 Outdoor Chess Tables/seats (4) To support the Library’s
chess clubs,
four outdoor chess tables are planned for the Terrace area.
$5,000 Technology The new library will boast greatly expanded computer
offerings; as well as up to date presentation/audio equipment. In-kind,
as well as cash support are sought, to an aggregate of $250,000.
$5,000 Special Collections (10) The Library invites support to expand a number of “special collections” reflecting the history and interests of Plainsboro. These include: New Jerseyana, JFK, Art; English as a Second Language, Testing, Gujurati, Hindi, Mandarin, Korean, and Russian .
HOW YOU CAN HELP!
Big or little, gifts to the campaign will help the community reach its
goal. You can print out the Letter of Intent form below and return it
at your convenience! You might consider a multi-year pledge to triple
or quadruple the value! And remember to keep an eye on our Late Breaking
News LINK TO THE HOME PAGE LISTING blog, to see what events and needs
we have. The Community Committee is hard at work with plans for major
promotions, including a fabulous cookbook: “The Kitchens of Plainsboro
Township”; a town wide Coin Collection, a mammoth community flea
market, a Battle of the Bands Concert, individualized bricks and much,
much more. Questons? Call Jinny Baeckler at 609-275-2897, or email campaign@lmxac.org.
We’d LOVE to hear from you!
I/we are pleased to support the Plainsboro Free Public Library Foundation, Inc. with a commitment:
PLEDGE COMMITMENT:
I/we agree to pledge the total cash amount of $________________________,
less the down payment of $__________________________, leaving a balance
of $_____________________ to the Plainsboro Free Public Library “Leave
a Legacy…Build a Library” Capital Campaign, over a three year_______
or five year ________ period.
PLEDGE PAYMENT SCHEDULE:
My/our commitment will be made: Cash________ Check_________
Credit Card______
With the enclosed sum of $_______________ Type____ Number_____________
Exp. Date______
• With securities: Type________________ No.
of shares___________
Transfer date_________
• A Matching Gift from my Company: Name:________________________________________
Amount: $____________________________
• With a payment schedule:
(Circle one) Annually Semi-Annually
Quarterly Monthly
Beginning on: Month____________ Year ___________ over
the next ____________ years
PLANNED GIFT:
I/we have included the Plainsboro Free Public Library Foundation,
Inc. in my/our estate and financial plans through a future gift:
An estate gift, a charitable annuity, or a gift of life insurance in the
amount of: $____________
Other: $____________
Total Planned Gift $____________
The overall gift is credited to the Plainsboro Free Public Library Foundation,
Inc.
Name(s): _____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
(Please print as you would like your name to appear on receipts, acknowledgements
and donor recognition materials.)
Address: _____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Signature: _______________________________________________ Date:________
Please make checks payable to: Plainsboro Free Public Library
Foundation Inc.
641 Plainsboro Road, Plainsboro, NJ 08536
Telephone 609-275-2897
Fax 609-799-5883
campaign@lmxac.org