The library must vacate the shared public/school library space by August 15

[fyi]

Dear Cranbury Residents,

The Cranbury Public Library Board of Trustees was notified on July 15 by the Cranbury School Board of Education that the library must vacate the shared public/school library space by August 15. The Cranbury Board of Education has decided that the space within the school building that currently houses the public library will be repurposed as classroom space in order to meet the NJ Department of Education guidance for reopening schools.

The Cranbury Public Library has shared a space with the Cranbury School since the late 1960s and both parties have collaborated over the past fifty years to make this work, despite diverging needs and access models. Unfortunately, the requirements for the school to adapt to new social distancing requirements for education have changed this partnership.

What does this mean for the Cranbury Public Library in the short term?

In four weeks, we need to find a new home and move our entire collection. We will lease a secure temporary space soon and provide curbside library services as soon as possible. We will keep you posted on our progress.
In the interim, The Cranbury Board of Education has approved the Book Drop to open on July 17 at the current location for residents to return materials. Please return your books.
Curbside Service will begin July 27. Please visit the library webpage for details and information on how to request materials.
The Cranbury School Board of Education will work reasonably to accommodate the Library in meeting this demanding schedule; both the school and library boards will work together to agree upon the terms of an orderly termination of the lease.

What does this mean for the Cranbury Public Library in the long term? Our goal is unchanged: a free- standing library at 30 Park Place West. The Cranbury Public Library, in partnership with Cranbury Public Library Foundation, has been working for the past ten years to secure an independent space for a free-standing library and community space, and has raised $2.5 Million in private funds toward that goal. This March, the Library submitted a proposal for the NJ Construction Bond Act, which would match 1:1 the available Foundation funds. The New Jersey State Librarian expects to make grant awards in September and a successful outcome would allow the Cranbury Public Library Board of Trustees to break ground as soon as possible.

Our commitment to serving the Cranbury community is unchanged. While the long-term plan has always been for the public library to find a dedicated space, this situation has accelerated the need and will have a short-term negative impact on the ability to provide services to our community. The library staff has continued to provide virtual services and programming during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the commitment to do so is unwavering through this challenge.

Thank you in advance for your patience and continued support. We recognize this is not an ideal situation for our community of library patrons, and we ask for your patience as we explore options.
Respectfully,

Kirstie Venanzi
President
Cranbury Public Library Board of Trustees

[anon-572n]

Does anybody really think that building a library right now, with the state of the world as it is, should be a priority?

All due respect Ms. Venanzi, perhaps this is not the best time to suggest that the library still intends to go full speed ahead with a multi million dollar pet project. It is arrogant and tone deaf in a time when people are dying, losing their jobs, afraid for their health and safety and that of their families. The audacity to even suggest that a new library is what is needed is mind boggling.

[Username-s288]

July 17, 2020

Dear Fellow Community Members,

We would like to take this opportunity to provide an update to the community regarding the status of the Cranbury School and Cranbury Public Library partnership. For several decades, the school and library have successfully shared a space under the same roof. Over time, the requirements and needs of both the school and library have evolved along with our changing world.

The global pandemic has introduced insurmountable challenges that have proven to be impossible to overcome without compromising the health and safety of our community members. To that end, we would like to inform Cranbury residents that as of August 15th, 2020, we are ending our long standing relationship of shared space between the Cranbury School and Cranbury Public Library in order to best safeguard our school and community.

In an effort to create the best possible reopening plan, Cranbury School needs every available space within the school footprint to educate our students. Large group spaces that may have previously been used for other purposes will be repurposed into classrooms. This will allow for as much in person learning as possible while ensuring the health and safety of all students and staff.

The Cranbury Public Library may take this opportunity to accelerate their anticipated departure and move to an independent space. Operating from an independent space provides the flexibility for the Library to deliver services to the community without further disruption.

A physical space will not define who we are, nor will it detract from our mission of educating our children and serving our community. The Cranbury Board of Education is committed to continuing to work collaboratively with the Library Board of Trustees throughout this process for the betterment of the Cranbury community. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we respond to this crisis and plan for the future. With your continued support, we are confident we will emerge stronger as a community.

Respectfully,
Karen Callahan
President, Cranbury Township Board of Education

[anon-8978]

Absolutely the right call to use the library for classroom space. I imagine this must not have been an easy decision for the Board of Education to make, and I would like to thank the members for making a tough decision for the good of the community.

The library folks need to get over themselves. We have been told for months that we must avoid public gathering spaces for the foreseeable future but the library wants to spend $2.5 million on a public gathering space and intends to “break ground as soon as possible.” So arrogant.

[anon-7666]

The way I see it. The school just forced the tax payers into funding a library as you really do need one instead of seeking a compromise.

The school could have stated curbside only for library patrons tho year (no difference with two librarians vs all the school staff and contractors that will come in and out) or patrons after 3pm. Or just said no library during this school year which honestly is the most likely case now anyway with the library having no place to go. Instead they made a perm want decision to kick out the library.

COViD is a temporary issue though it seems like it will be forever and we’ve addressed it through making a permenant decision that will cost the tax payer. When COViD is fine and with declining enrollment we will have unneeded space in school and a tax payer funded library building that would not have been needed.

I can’t see the state borrowing 9 billion and still providing library funding for the grant.

[anon-r302]

[Odd Fellows-794p]

Odd Fellows hall is for sale. Also the bicycle shop no longer occupies the front of Sweetwater. 2 places readily available and could be converted with the funds they have already raised.

[anon-42s7]

The library tried to get PNC. The Township would not buy it and the library had no funds at the time.

If they rent then the tax payers are paying for that. Either way this is costing tax payers more money by not having a compromise in place.

[Anon-2020-pr89]

Great ideas to revisit existing spaces within Cranbury's downtown area before building a brand new structure. How about the Cranbury Post Office building which is just currently being used for PO Boxes and a walk up window as all the major operations are now in Hightstown. This is a great location with a library appropriate facade and front lawn, flag pole, handicap front access and rear parking lot. The Post Office could still operate the PO Boxes and walk up window on the left side of the lobby and the Public Library access would be on the right side and the rest of the building. The Post Office could pay rent to the Library for their space. The back of the Post Office building is basically an open shell so minimal demolition would be needed to create a functional library. You will need to upgrade HVAC and install a rear handicap access ramp. Given our current COVID-19 world the proposed new library building would need to be revisited to possibly reconfigure for social distancing and drive up access anyway. The 2.5 million already raised might go farther by renovating the existing Post Office and keeping an open grassy area open which benefits the environment. It's worth a look.

[anon-po04]

[anon-r302]

[anon-42s7]

They won’t rent forever. All it does is force the new building. Donations can’t be used for rent either. That is illegal. So tax dollars will pay rent

[anon-s288]

[anon-r302]

[anon-7666]

When an entity takes donations for one purpose such as a specific building, lot and design they can't then take that same money and use it for something else. That is illegal. So the 2.5 million can only be used to build on the site the donations were received for and a reasonable likeness to what they proposed.

I really don't care how the library feels. I am more concerned that the school to deal with a situation in the short term has potentially forced us into funding a library building in order to keep a library in Cranbury when a building was not needed before.

[anon-7666]