Jinny Baeckler’s library work in Plainsboro gains accolades
By: Molly Petrilla
PLAINSBORO Though her entry into the library world was wholly serendipitous, Plainsboro Public Library Director Jinny Baeckler has since proven herself as an innovator in the profession and, most recently, worthy of The New York Times’ "Librarian of the Year" award.
"It’s awfully exciting," the Hopewell resident says of her recent accolade. "I was completely humbled when the call came in."
Still, Ms. Baeckler is well aware that she could just as easily have ended up in the food-service business.
As a Cornell University freshman, she went to the student employment office, only to discover that the only jobs left were as a waitress.
Though she was willing to accept such a position, an employment official recommended she try back in a few weeks.
She did, and by then a job had opened up at the student union’s browsing library.
As she was earning her bachelor’s degree in Russian language and literature, Ms. Baeckler worked her way up the ranks of the university’s library system, and by the end of her undergraduate term, she was serving as director of the school’s browsing library.
Her creativity she organized a candlelight reading session during the university’s notoriously alcohol-filled "Fall Weekend" earned her substantial recognition, and eventually led to a job as director of the Mercer County Library system’s headquarters.
In 1975, Ms. Baeckler decided to approach literature from a different perspective, and penned four non-fiction books, three of which offered tips for running a library.
Still, she couldn’t shake librarianship from her veins and after several years as an arts-in-education lobbyist in Trenton, she was ready to return to the check-out counter a decision that recently resulted in her award from The Times.
The honor includes a $2,500 prize and plaque, which she will receive at a ceremony in the paper’s Times Square office on Wednesday.
Ms. Baeckler re-joined the library world as director of the Plainsboro library in 1991, and over the years has worked to revitalize the township facility.
In 1993, she fought for the library’s new digs, relocating the library from a 1,700-square-foot, two-room schoolhouse to its current 17,000-square-foot facility.
And while it has plenty of books, the library also features an active art gallery and hands-on science center, and frequently hosts cultural events.
"We’re the place where community begins," Ms. Baeckler explains. "The library’s a safe place, it’s a trusted place and we do cool things here."
She also says the library she runs is unique in its focus on customer service.
"We have very high service standards," she says. "That is our job we’re public servants. The staff here is trained in that, and they know I expect it."
Even though her facility has been recognized as one of the best in the country and recently received a $10,000 Loleta Fyan Award for most innovative library program Ms. Baeckler is not one to rest on her laurels.
Last year, she helped launch an expansion plan that will move the library to Plainsboro’s new Town Center. Recently, she’s been helping raise funds for the new $10.5 million, 34,000-square-foot facility, which is scheduled to break ground in the spring.
Ms. Baeckler says she’s enjoyed planning for the library’s new three-floor building, which will include a café, study rooms and art gallery.
"It’s nice to create a building from the ground up, rather than mushing together what you have at hand," she adds.
In the future, she says she’d like her library to offer a bigger selection of free courses in its continuing education department a change she says will be easier once the library moves.
And she has a few predictions about the future of libraries in general, too.
"They will get stronger and bigger and more wonderful," she says. "The idea that the book is dead is ridiculous."

