What is Benjamin Franklin’s biggest accomplishment?
“Free public libraries,” answered State Senator Patrick Diegnan. “Seriously. And it sounds so obvious now, but he wanted a population where everybody had access to books, to education, to advancement as opposed to an elite group and the uneducated group.
“That’s really the basis of the American dream.”
The Metuchen Public Library is entering its next chapter with exciting news for the community. It was awarded $200,000 in state funding to support much needed renovations and improvements thanks to the strong advocacy of Mayor Jonathan Busch and the 18th District legislators – Diegnan, Assemblyman Sterley Stanley, and Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak.
And building on the momentum, the Friends of the Metuchen Library (FOTML), a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit that fundraises for the library, launched its first ever capital campaign: “The Next Chapter” in September.
In honor of Metuchen’s 125th anniversary, the Friends set a goal to raise $125,000 for further transformative improvements to the library – transform the children’s room, add meeting space and study pods, reimagine the makerspace, and expand the teen space.
“We are grateful for the support of Mayor Busch and our 18th district legislators for their tireless advocacy,” said Rebecca FrancoMartin, director of the Metuchen Public Library. “Their efforts helped to secure $200,000 in state funding which is going to support the much-needed renovations.”
The library, says Assemblyman Sterley Stanley, is an “economic development center” because of the information that is unlocked to every age group that walks in through the library doors.
“This investment will help ensure that the Metuchen Public Library continues to grow, modernize and meet the needs of our community today and for generations to come,” he said.
And not only is the library a hub to access books and information, it’s a place to “relax and to learn,” Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak said.
“They can come and decide to read about anything that comes to mind,” said Karabinchak.
Together, the state funding and community campaign represent a significant investment in the library’s future, ensuring the Metuchen Public Library remains a place where “curiosity, creativity, and community” thrive for generations to come.
And with the next chapter comes strategic plan goals for the next five years – 2025 to 2030 – with input from over 1,100 Metuchen residents, library staff, trustees and Friends of the Library.
All say that Metuchen Public Library has a central role to play in a growing and changing community. The library is an important gathering spot offering programs that appeal to people of all ages and resources that can help everyone succeed. The Metuchen Public Library’s strategic goals for the next five years include:
- All people will enjoy a modern, accessible, and welcoming library and community hub that provides a variety of renewed, modern spaces and programs, services, and collections to serve all people. It will be a place to enjoy a performance or lecture, meet an author, meet friends, engage in discussions around an issue of importance to the community, or just to have fun.
- The library will be the community’s go-to destination for resources to live, work, learn and achieve their dreams. It will be the community’s living room, where everyone finds friendly assistance and resources, as well as all forms of content creation and learning tools.
- The library will be here for future generations, with a powerful brand, talented staff, local partnerships and sustainable funding. The renewed campaign to engage every individual, family, community organization, and group in a dialogue with the library will help accomplish this goal. Promoting the library every day and supporting volunteers who advocate, raise funds, and assist in any way they can will be priorities.
