After five years of fundraising and planning, the end is in sight for the new Cranbury Public Library., The combined library and community center design is complete and is going out for bid by March 1. While the bidding and contracting process is underway, the Cranbury Library Foundation is raising the final $220,000 that it estimates will cover the new building construction., This final fundraising phase of the project is the Community Walk of Knowledge., “The Community Walk of Knowledge is the outdoor plaza where the new building opens onto the 14-acre open space that the township has preserved for a town square and recreation,” said Michael Ferrante, president of the Cranbury Library Foundation. “This area will include a patio featuring engraved bricks recognizing donors from this final phase. Cranbury residents and businesses can buy a brick and be a “champion” to help finish the project. We want this to be a library and community center for all Cranbury residents.”, To participate in the Community Walk of Knowledge program, residents and businesses can purchase a “champion” brick for $1,000 (8 inches by 8 inches) and select up to six lines of text, to recognize their family, honor a loved one, or include their favorite quote. A “citizen” brick is also available for $500 (4 inches by 8 inches) and has space for up to three lines of text., The library foundation has partnered with Bricks R Us, a company that helps with brick fundraising programs around the country. Its online ordering page to order bricks can be found at www.bricksrus.com/order/cranburylibrary. There is information about the program at the foundation website as well ( www.cranburylibraryfoundation.org )., The foundation has been charged with raising the $2.75 million required for the new building, of which $2.55 million has been raised to date. The library project made great progress in 2016 with financial donations of more than $430,000. This month, Bristol-Myers Squibb donated furniture for the new space. Cranbury Township has budgeted $475,000 in 2017 to build a municipal parking lot adjacent to the new building. It is expected that the new library will open in 2018.
