North Brunswick Library Director Cheryl McBride was chosen as one of four librarians across the state to work on a special project for the New Jersey State Library – which led to a very special project of her own at her own library.
“I worked on a project called the SWAT team: four librarians from across the state who had spruced up the interiors of their buildings, some with relatively little cost. Public libraries selected areas in their libraries that they thought could be better utilized and applied for assistance. We work with them, make suggestions and much of the time the changes are dramatic. Some of the local libraries who have been ‘swatted’ over the years include Sayreville and Matawan-Aberdeen. We’re currently working with the Spotswood and Milltown libraries,” McBride said.
For her services, the North Brunswick Library was awarded $5,000, which was used to honor the library’s 50th anniversary by placing Little Free Libraries (LFLs) in all of the parks in North Brunswick. The LFLs are birdhouse-like boxes where anyone can take a free book and if they wish, leave a free book.
“When I was first asked to join the team, our library received $2,000 for my time. That money just got absorbed into the budget. Because the three other members of the original team couldn’t join us this year, I, as senior member, became the team leader. So we got five grand. Now you’re talking money,” McBride said.
“I wanted to do something lasting, something that would honor our 50th anniversary and something everyone could access. I happened to be speaking with Nancy Cohen, the director of the Old Bridge Library, and she mentioned that they just installed a couple of LFLs. Great idea. Let’s see if we can do the same thing.”
Working with the North Brunswick Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Services, LFLs have already been placed in Babbage, Boyd, Veterans and Community parks. The next round of libraries will be placed in Hermann, Colonial Gardens, Sabella and Renaissance parks.
The library that was placed in Boyd Park Tot Lot was painted by library staff artist Kathy Treese. The ones in Babbage Park and near the Dog Park at Community Park were painted by Girl Scout Troop 80035, led by Diatonya Chiles. The one in Veterans Park was built and painted by the woodworking and craft clubs of the North Brunswick Senior Center.
“I quickly got the mayor on board and Lou Ann Benson, head of Parks and Recreation, agreed to help. And now we have four installed with four more on the way,” she said.
For more information about the LBLs, call the library at 732-246-3545.
