EAST BRUNSWICK–Understanding the importance of providing access to books for residents, the East Brunswick Youth Council helped install a “Little Free Library” in town.
In collaboration with the East Brunswick Public Library, the youth council presented the township’s second Little Free Library during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Jan. 6 at the East Brunswick Dog Park, which is located at Heavenly Farms Park on Durhams Corner Road.
The first Little Free Library was installed by Girl Scout Troop 80119 at the Grace Smith Auer Reading Garden inside the East Brunswick Municipal Complex on Civic Center Drive, according to the library’s coordinator of Marketing, Communication and Outreach, Chris Barnes.
“Since it was so popular, the library reached out to other groups to partner on future Little Free Libraries,” Barnes said. “We found a great partner in the East Brunswick Youth Council and their teen volunteers, who were excited to help add more Little Free Libraries throughout the township.”
Barnes said Michael Reissner, who is the director of the township’s Recreation, Parks and Community Services Department, made a great suggestion to install the Little Free Library at the dog park since it is a popular location in town.
“The Little Free Library was built with supplies and assistance from Route 18 Lumber and Jack Dobrzynski, with assistance from teens in the East Brunswick Youth Council and [Jennifer Stetson, Youth Council coordinator and supervisor],” Barnes said. “It was installed into the park by the staff of the East Brunswick Department of Recreation, Parks and Community Services.”
The ribbon cutting was performed by Mayor Brad Cohen and Library Board Member Mary Pan, according to Stetson.
“The East Brunswick Youth Council is focused on providing service to the community. The Little Free Library is another great way to help people partake in the wonderful hobby of reading,” she said. “We recognize how important reading is. This is a great service to offer the community.”
Stetson said the youth council had been discussing the idea of helping to install a Little Free Library since last year.
“This is a great way to bring books to where people are, hopefully improving reading motivation and deepening community connectedness,” Stetson said. “The East Brunswick Youth Council ran a very successful book drive to gather the books to fill the Little Free Library.”
Stetson said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony the youth council supplied hot chocolate and coffee to those who attended, as well as packages that included tennis balls and dog treats for any of the dogs in attendance.
“We did not pick the location, but the dog park is a very well used community facility. This means that many people will have access to this Little Free Library,” Stetson said. “Additionally, this is close to the paths and fields within Heavenly Farms.
“The paws prints, logos and hashtags were painted on by the youth council executive board members,” Stetson added.
For more information about the East Brunswick Youth Council, visit www.eastbrunswick.org/content/198/221/461.aspx.
Contact Vashti Harris at [email protected].