The document discusses plans for the Cranbury Public Library to build a new facility. It notes that residents strongly support the importance of the library and want expanded services. The strategic plan's goal is to have a new home for the library by 2015 that is close to but separate from the school. The document addresses frequently asked questions about how the new library would be funded, the role of the school library, and the future of libraries.
1. Cranbury Public LibraryCranbury Public Library
Next step in our ongoing processNext step in our ongoing process
of planningof planning
October 25, 2010October 25, 2010
2. Zogby Survey 2006Zogby Survey 2006
• Vast majority of residents think that theVast majority of residents think that the
Cranbury Public Library is important to ourCranbury Public Library is important to our
town.town.
• Residents want more library services,Residents want more library services,
including books, movies, music,including books, movies, music,
information.information.
5. Strategic PlanStrategic Plan
• The strategic plan outlines our goal of a newThe strategic plan outlines our goal of a new
home developed in conjunction with the entirehome developed in conjunction with the entire
community and separate but close proximity tocommunity and separate but close proximity to
the school by 2015.the school by 2015.
• The new library will provide an expanded rangeThe new library will provide an expanded range
of services to the whole community.of services to the whole community.
• The new facility will provide a space where allThe new facility will provide a space where all
are welcome.are welcome.
6. How much would our library cost?How much would our library cost?
12. Need Clear and CompellingNeed Clear and Compelling
Vision and Case StudyVision and Case Study
Create a vision that is very “Cranbury”.Create a vision that is very “Cranbury”.
• The Cranbury Public Library will serve asThe Cranbury Public Library will serve as
a village living room providing a sense ofa village living room providing a sense of
community by welcoming everyone to acommunity by welcoming everyone to a
place that encourages a love of reading andplace that encourages a love of reading and
the value of education.the value of education.
13. Why have two separate libraries?Why have two separate libraries?
A school library supports the curriculum,A school library supports the curriculum,
filters the internet, and protects the children.filters the internet, and protects the children.
It is restricted to students in school.It is restricted to students in school.
A public library allows open access to allA public library allows open access to all
information to all members of ourinformation to all members of our
community. It supports our firstcommunity. It supports our first
amendment rights to free speech.amendment rights to free speech.
14. What would happen to the schoolWhat would happen to the school
library?library?
• First, the school and the school library would gainFirst, the school and the school library would gain
space. “Students need to be able to experience thespace. “Students need to be able to experience the
library with peers and teachers. This is difficult inlibrary with peers and teachers. This is difficult in
a shared facility.” John Haney’s 2008 PowerPointa shared facility.” John Haney’s 2008 PowerPoint
presentation to the Library Board.presentation to the Library Board.
• Secondly, the school would gain security and thusSecondly, the school would gain security and thus
ensure the safety of the children during the day.ensure the safety of the children during the day.
15. Would the school library loseWould the school library lose
books?books?
• The school library currently owns about 9000The school library currently owns about 9000
books. The public library owns about 11000books. The public library owns about 11000
children’s books, but these books are geared morechildren’s books, but these books are geared more
toward enrichment, leisure reading, and non-toward enrichment, leisure reading, and non-
curricular subjects, as well as books for preschoolcurricular subjects, as well as books for preschool
children. The remaining 14000 books are adultchildren. The remaining 14000 books are adult
books, on adult topics.books, on adult topics.
• In addition, each year the school library has aIn addition, each year the school library has a
budget to purchase materials that support thebudget to purchase materials that support the
curriculum.curriculum.
16. What would happen after school?What would happen after school?
• The school offers after-schoolThe school offers after-school
programs.programs.
• Children are always welcome toChildren are always welcome to
come to the public library.come to the public library.
17. Won’t building a new public libraryWon’t building a new public library
raise taxes?raise taxes?
• The Board of Trustees for the CranburyThe Board of Trustees for the Cranbury
Public Library continues to make fiscallyPublic Library continues to make fiscally
responsible planning our priority. Theresponsible planning our priority. The
board is exploring all avenues of funding aboard is exploring all avenues of funding a
new building, including private sources,new building, including private sources,
possible future grants, and possiblepossible future grants, and possible
corporate donations. By augmenting ourcorporate donations. By augmenting our
savings, we hope to have enough money tosavings, we hope to have enough money to
build a new facility without raising taxes.build a new facility without raising taxes.
18. How will the library pay utilities andHow will the library pay utilities and
maintenance of a new building?maintenance of a new building?
• The public library receives an appropriation ofThe public library receives an appropriation of
money to pay for salaries and personnel costs,money to pay for salaries and personnel costs,
materials, programs, and the running of thematerials, programs, and the running of the
library. This is approximately 1% of your taxlibrary. This is approximately 1% of your tax
dollars and is determined by NJ State law.dollars and is determined by NJ State law.
• Since the public library is already paying rent outSince the public library is already paying rent out
of this money, we believe we could comfortableof this money, we believe we could comfortable
afford to pay utilities in an energy efficient newafford to pay utilities in an energy efficient new
building.building.
19. Can’t we just go to Plainsboro orCan’t we just go to Plainsboro or
Monroe if we want library services?Monroe if we want library services?
• As a result of our having our own publicAs a result of our having our own public
library, we are able to participate in what islibrary, we are able to participate in what is
called “reciprocal borrowing”. If Cranbury didcalled “reciprocal borrowing”. If Cranbury did
not have a public library, our residents wouldnot have a public library, our residents would
have to pay to use library services in anotherhave to pay to use library services in another
town.town.
• Survey and interview results show thatSurvey and interview results show that
residents value having a public library in theresidents value having a public library in the
center of town.center of town.
20. Why start planning for a newWhy start planning for a new
library now when the economy islibrary now when the economy is
struggling?struggling?
• A new building and raising funds entailsA new building and raising funds entails
much planning. We need to start now to bemuch planning. We need to start now to be
ready for the future.ready for the future.
21. What role with the library play in theWhat role with the library play in the
future? What is the future of books?future? What is the future of books?
• The library will always serve as anThe library will always serve as an
educational and information center.educational and information center.
Whatever the form the book may take, theWhatever the form the book may take, the
public library will be able to provide it.public library will be able to provide it.
Also, libraries are community living roomsAlso, libraries are community living rooms
or porches where all members of the townor porches where all members of the town
are welcome.are welcome.
22. Cranbury Township Municipal Budget Expended January-June 2010Cranbury Township Municipal Budget Expended January-June 2010
[$5,093,792.00 (47%) of $10,789045.57][$5,093,792.00 (47%) of $10,789045.57]
Additional tax information:Additional tax information:
Municipal taxes account for about 25% of the total residential taxMunicipal taxes account for about 25% of the total residential tax
assessment.assessment. [Public Library appropriation would figure for about 1% of[Public Library appropriation would figure for about 1% of totaltotal
residential taxes if analyzed outside of the municipal taxes]residential taxes if analyzed outside of the municipal taxes]
County taxes account for about19%.County taxes account for about19%.
School taxes account for about 56%.School taxes account for about 56%.
Hinweis der Redaktion
On behalf of the Board of Trustees for the Cranbury Public Library, I would like to present the results of a feasibility study completed this summer. The study was done to determine if there is enough community support to privately arise money in order to construct a public library building. To put this in perspective, let us look back over the past four years…
An independent library consultant conducted an evaluation of current library space and services. The study determined that the library needs more space and more services. (2008) Also, about this time, the library board negotiated a lease agreement with the school board that clarified our relationship with the landlord. We started paying rent. (2008). Also, reconfigured the library that year to help address the school’s security concerns.
Successful libraries have strategic plan. Our current plan continues to place having a separate public library as a priority.
The library board worked with an architectural firm to develop a concept library and drawing to determine how much a new library would cost (2009-10) Several years ago we contacted KSS architects to see if they would do some pro bono work for us.
Concept library important “elements”
Location of the library in the Master Plan.
We are cautiously encouraged with the results. We are presenting our capital campaign feasibility report.
To sum up, the Cranbury Public Library has determined that the public library is important to the community. We determined that the current space is too small and poses security problems for the school. We have a concept library. We know where it will be placed. Though we are encouraged by the results of the report, we need more time to study them. We are not announcing any course of action at this time. We just wanted to get the information to you in a timely manner.
