Whether it is the New Jersey Room, with antiquated storage shelves that are pulling away from the walls, or pieces of ceiling in the Five Corners Library auditorium falling to the ground, repairs and upgrades will be needed to ensure that these institutions continue to exist for the public good.
That is why the Jersey City Free Public Library Foundation was created. The foundation, started in November 2003, is a 501©3 organization whose sole purpose is to raise money for capital improvements for most of the library buildings in the Jersey City Public Library system.The foundation's plan is to raise $14M over the next five years for capital improvements.
Priscilla Gardner, the executive director of Jersey City Public Library, said recently that the foundation has already received $25,500 that has come from various donors, including Provident Bank and The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and revenues from sales in the recently opened William Wendell Razim Used Book Store and the gift shop, located on the second floor of the main library branch.
However, to jumpstart raising the substantial amounts to pay for capital improvements, the Jersey City Free Public Library Foundation, Inc. will be holding their inaugural fundraiser on Oct. 14 at the Liberty House Restaurant in Jersey City starting at 6 p.m. The chair of the foundation is Sandra Bolden Cunningham.
Recently, Michelle Dupey, public information officer for the Jersey City Public Library, spoke about some of the capital improvements that would be needed and gave a tour of the used book store and gift shop.
Fundraising for a good cause
"We're trying to put this in front of people as soon as possible because of the situation of the libraries," said Dupey.
Dupey said that in early September, parts of the ceiling in the Five Corners auditorium collapsed. As a result, there will be repairs ongoing until the end of the year since asbestos removal will also have to be done. The auditorium is closed for the cleanup.
Dupey showed a schedule of events that would have taken place in the Five Corners library from September to December that have been cancelled, relocated to a smaller space or other another library branch.
Dupey also pointed out that one of the major projects that will benefit from the funding is the implementing of a new elevator in the Main Library Branch that would conform to standards put down by the American Disabilities Association. The project would include a railing for wheelchair users, as well as a new shaft for the elevator.
The new elevator and other upgrades at the Main Branch are estimated to cost about $6 million.
Dupey also supplied a "Capital Improvement Wish List" that shows the major projects that are to be addressed in the five-year plan, including a Liberty Materials Security System, a new Bookmobile, and the relocation of two library branches.
Also cited on the list are specific branches and the year that they were built, which highlights how vital the capital improvements are. The list shows that the Main Library located on Jersey Avenue was built in 1901, the Miller Branch Library was built in 1922, and the Greenville Branch was built in 1926. The Glenn D. Cunningham Branch Library and Community Center that opened in August was the first new Jersey City library to open in 42 years.
Dupey also spoke about the fundraiser reception that will take place, with tickets at $100. There will be entertainment by children who will be dressed as books, and a 6-year-old violinist, Iyana Monet Patterson.
When asked if there will be a presentation showing the damage at the various libraries to make prospective donors aware of where their monies are going, Dupey said that she wasn't sure and would have to defer to Priscilla Gardner, who said that there wouldn't be such a presentation.
After the interview, Dupey gave a tour of the used book store and the library gift shop.
The book store opened on Aug. 19 and was named after Union City resident Razim, who contributed his large collection of records and books as the start-up inventory for the new store. It contains hard covers and paperbacks ranging from the recent Tom Clancy novel to the 1940 nonfiction book 1,000 Americans, by legendary journalist George Seldes.
Browsing in the library's new gift shop, one could fill a shopping basket with souvenir tote bags with the logo of the Jersey City Public Library or neckties donated to the foundation that belonged to the late Mayor Cunningham, with paperwork certifying their authenticity.
For more information on the upcoming fundraiser or donating to the foundation, contact Gardner at (201) 547-4788.
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