Cranbury Public Library officials offered local students an opportunity to brainstorm recently and the students exercised their creativity.
On Wednesday, Nov. 30, Library Foundation President Michael Ferrante and technology librarian Joanne Dera met Nov. 30 with the Cranbury School Student Council to hear what students would like to see in the new library and community center.
“As the new building gets closer to being a reality, we are imagining the possibilities for the new space, beyond what is possible in the current combined school/public library space,” said Mr. Ferrante. “The new library and community center can be a place where Cranbury School students can go after school and enjoy indoor activities, outdoor recreation, gaming, and creative activities with their friends, in a welcoming, non-retail space.”
The students responded by offering suggestions and then voted on their favorites. Among the ideas are:
Indoor Activities: Hammocks, good reading space, bean bag chairs, cooking classes, lounge area, Ping Pong, chalk/painting wall, foosball table/air hockey, separate quiet and talking areas, radio/jukebox, Legos.
Outdoor Activities: Outdoor study area, koi pond, garden, baskets of balls and Frisbees, nets for sports, sun room, outdoor movies, outdoor performance space, playground, fountain.
Creative Space: Mural, robotics/programming classes, 3-D doodler, art supplies, performance space, green screen, hands-on arts and crafts, soundproof practice space.
Gaming/Electronics: Charging station/cords, movie room, TVs/ XBOX/PlayStation, board games, brain teasers/games.
Academic support: Supplies for group projects to purchase (posters, markers, etc.), access to Google classroom, Chromebooks and iPads, space for group projects, color printer.
Refreshments: Vending machines, coffee and tea, pizza and desserts, baked goods, hot chocolate/lemonade, healthy eating place, allergen-free food, salad bar, popcorn machine for movies, bagels.
“While not all of these will be possible in the new space, I was excited and energized to hear so many great ideas from this group,” said library director Marilynn Mullen. “I’m happy to say many of their ideas are already planned for the new facility, such as good reading and study spaces, charging stations and vending machines. The new building will have a creative space so we will certainly look at what the students would like to see there.”
The Cranbury Library Foundation is more than 90 percent of the way to raising the $2.75 million that is needed to break ground.
Only $250,000 remains to “Close the Gap” before construction can begin. Households that donate $1,000 or more are included in the Community Walk of Knowledge, and there are still naming opportunities for larger gifts.
To donate, checks may be written to the Cranbury Library Foundation and dropped off at the library, or mailed to 23 North Main Street, Cranbury, N.J. 08512. To donate by credit card go to www.CranburyLibraryFoundation.org.
