Red Bank Library
The Summer Reading Adventure Begins!
The Summer Reading Adventure Begins!
Red Bank Library
The RBPL congratulates one of our own on a job ...
The RBPL congratulates one of our own on a job well done!

The RBPL Centennial Celebration Commenced on November 10th with Much Fanfare!

Spirits were high at the library on Friday night as the RBPL Centennial Year commenced with food, drink, and friendly chatter.  Notables such as Mayor Billy Portman, Congressman Frank Pallone, Policy Director Mike Illiano on behalf of State Senator Vin Gopal, and Library Director Eleni Glykis, among others, gave speeches, and atmospheric music was performed by students from the Monmouth Conservatory of Music.  This event was a terrific kickoff to the library’s year-long celebration of the Centennial, and we remain truly grateful to the Foundation for the Red Bank Public Library for having made this event possible.  Please keep checking our website for information on future Centennial-related happenings! 

The Foundation for the Red Bank Public Library Announces a 100-year Anniversary Celebration

On November 10, 2023, the Foundation for the Red Bank Public Library will host  a kick-off celebration to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Library’s founding on January 2nd, 1924.  A series of special events and fundraising activities will continue throughout this special year. The November 10th event will have speakers, raffles, music, food, and good company, and will begin at 7 PM at the Library.  Tickets are $75.

Red Bank’s first library was instituted in 1878, but wasn’t free, charging $1.50 ($46 in today’s dollars) for subscriptions that allowed patrons to take out just one book at a time.

By creating a free public library, the citizens of Red Bank made a definitive statement that they wanted everyone, not just those who could afford it, to have access to the resources a library could provide.  Red Bank’s support for the Library continued even through the stock market crash and the Great Depression. This community spirit continues to be visible today in the wide variety of inclusive programming offered by the Library to engage, support, and educate.

Since that moment in 1924, the library continued to grow, moved to various locations, and expanded its collections.  The current location, overlooking the Navesink River at 84 West Front Street, was secured in 1937 as the result of a gift from entrepreneur and philanthropist Sigmund Eisner’s sons.  

The Red Bank community has much to be proud of and celebrate! We hope  to see you at the Library’s special events this year.

Please Pardon Our Appearance

If you’ve been by the Library over the past few days, you may have noticed a bit of noise; that’s because work has begun on our ADA Rehabilitation project. The $300,000 project was one of the library projects chosen to receive a grant from the Library Construction Bond Act. The grant, which amounts to $150,000, will address the existing infrastructure that inhibits us from providing the best service to all residents. The Borough and the Foundation for the Red Bank Public Library will provide matching funds. Construction started last week and is expected to last into the Fall.

Renovations and enhancements include replacing the front vestibule with push-button, ADA-accessible doors, expanding and renovating the existing Lower-Level bathrooms to make them ADA-accessible, and replacing the existing elevator. This project aims to enhance the already great space at RBPL by making it accessible to all, expanding the functionality of our Library, and ultimately improving the efficiency of our services.

We know that the public is frustrated with closures, delayed openings and most importantly all of the construction noise, but once this project is done, our library will be completely accessible and we will get back to our multi-level programming.

This project is supported by funds from the New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act, administered by the New Jersey State Library.

Library Updates - Pardon Our Appearance

Things are happening at the Red Bank Public Library! Our lower-level bathrooms need some finishing touches, but we’re on to the next phase of our ADA Improvement Project with the installation of a new automatic main entryway.

For the next couple of days, we ask our public to enter and exit the Library through the Eisner Room. These are the doors on the front porch, as shown below!

The last and final phase of our ADA Improvement Project will be installing a new elevator, with work beginning this Fall. This project is supported by funds from the New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act, administered by the New Jersey State Library, the Borough of Red Bank, and numerous donations to the Foundation for the Red Bank Public Library. We want to thank the Iliad Fund, the Eisner Foundation, and a group of local donors for their generous support toward this project! 

We were also able to complete the installation of our new Zoom Room system in the Library’s Meeting Room, making it easier for us to offer hybrid programming soon - ensuring that our patrons can access Library programs from anywhere they have an Internet connection! Fundsfor this project were provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant CAGML-248454-OMLS-21. The $67,048 federal grant awarded two years ago focuses on improving community access. 


The Town Wide Yard Sale is Back!

The Red Bank Townwide Yard Sale is back on Saturday, September 9th! 

Anyone wishing to take part as a seller can register here or in person at the library. The registration fee is $10 and benefits the RBPL Foundation. Registered homes will be placed on the map, which will be available in paper form and in PDF form on the RBPL website the day of the event. The only way to pay online is through PayPal -- if you'd prefer not to use PayPal, you can register online and then pay later in check or cash at the RBPL circulation desk. All registrants will be sent an info packet before the event.

We have a limited number of plots available at the library for apartment dwellers who wish to sell but do not have a yard. Apartment registrants will be required to bring their own tables and chairs.

UPDATE: ALL LAWN SPACES HAVE BEEN TAKEN!

The deadline for registration is Wednesday, September 6th. The rain date for the event is Sunday September 10th, but the library will NOT make this call -- that is up to the individual sellers.

Register here.

There's Still Time to Participate in Our Summer Reading Program!

Want to participate in cool programs and win prizes while reading fresh reads? Well, there’s still time to join our ALL TOGETHER NOW Summer Reading Program!

The program which runs until August 19, 2023 is open to Children, Teens, and Adults.

Access the program and track your activity through the Beanstack App on your mobile device or online at redbankpl.beanstack.org.  Beanstack also allows parents to manage their children’s accounts so they can help younger ones participate, too! Be sure to ask a librarian for a paper reading log if you prefer that option.

Click HERE for the full summer calendar of programs and activities.

Earn badges for reading, attending virtual and in-person events, and completing challenges! You can even win prizes!

Make sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to keep updated on additional events. You can also sign up for the Red Bank Public Library’s weekly newsletter. 

Please Pardon Our Appearance

If you’ve been by the Library over the past few days, you may have noticed a bit of noise; that’s because work has begun on our ADA Rehabilitation project. The $300,000 project was one of the library projects chosen to receive a grant from the Library Construction Bond Act. The grant, which amounts to $150,000, will address the existing infrastructure that inhibits us from providing the best service to all residents. The Borough and the Foundation for the Red Bank Public Library will provide matching funds. Construction started last week and is expected to last into the Fall.

Renovations and enhancements include replacing the front vestibule with push-button, ADA-accessible doors, expanding and renovating the existing Lower-Level bathrooms to make them ADA-accessible, and replacing the existing elevator. This project aims to enhance the already great space at RBPL by making it accessible to all, expanding the functionality of our Library, and ultimately improving the efficiency of our services.

We know that the public is frustrated with closures, delayed openings and most importantly all of the construction noise, but once this project is done, our library will be completely accessible and we will get back to our multi-level programming.

This project is supported by funds from the New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act, administered by the New Jersey State Library.

24/7, We’ve Got You Covered! Read, Watch, and Listen for Free

Did you know you can access free books, movies, and more—anytime, anywhere—with your Red Bank Public Library card?

Libby

Libby is the library reading app and is the best way to instantly access books, audiobooks, magazines and read-along books, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! 

Libby is available to use on smartphones, tablets, and Kindle devices. When you download Libby to your device, follow the prompts to connect your Library card to the app. From there, you can immediately begin browsing for books. And, just like at the Library, Libby lets you place holds, check-out, read, and return books. Libby even lets you connect multiple Library cards to your account! 

Download Libby by visiting the App Store or Google Play Store, and search Libby. 

Hoopla Digital

While you’re downloading Libby, don’t forget to check out Hoopla Digital. 

Hoopla is available to our patrons with a Library card and is a one-stop service for free digital content. In other words, Hoopla is free-to-use and provides you with access to 300,000+ digital movies, TV shows, music, e-books, and more!

Like Libby, Hoopla is an app that can be used on smartphones and tablets. You can also use Hoopla on a computer by visiting www.hoopladigital.com. To access Hoopla, you will need to create an account with your email address and a new password. 

Once you start using Hoopla, you can browse and borrow e-books, audiobooks, comics, movies, television shows and movies. My Hoopla will show your borrowing history, recommendations, popular and curated collections.

Freegal Music

Finally, if you’re looking for free music, the Red Bank Public Library has you covered with Freegal Music! 

Freegal Music offers access to over 11 million songs, including Sony Music’s catalog of legendary artists. Our library subscription provides you with the opportunity to stream music for personal use, right from the comfort of your own home. 

You can access Freegal Music online, or download the app from the App Store or Google Play. 

Need help adding these apps to your device? Have a question about adding your Library card to Libby? Stop by the Reference Desk, and we’ll be happy to help!

There’s an app for everything…including the Library!

While you may not be interested in downloading yet another app to your device, this one might make you change your mind!

LMxPRESS PLUS is the library app. From here you can manage your library account, including checkouts, holds and renewals. 

Within the app you can also search all 39 LMxAC member libraries, which includes Red Bank Public Library, for your favorite books, movies, music and more. Found a book you like? Place a hold right from the app! Away from the Library and need to renew your book? Renew right in the app! 

LMxPRESS PLUS also lets you download and connect to digital content and stay in touch with the library through our social media feed and event calendar. 

You can even connect your library card to the app so you’re never without your card again! 

Managing your library account and finding books at the library has never been easier with LMxPRESS PLUS. Search LMxPRESS on the App Store or Google Play Store today to manage your library card anywhere, anytime! 

Need additional assistance? Stop by the Reference Desk at the Library, or schedule an appointment with the Eisner Opportunity Lab for technical assistance. 

Spring into action with Red Bank Public Library’s  Food Drive! 


The Eisner Memorial Library kicks off a Spring Food Drive this Spring starting March 1.  The drive will stock the Library’s Little Free Pantry and the Vin Gopal Civic Association Food Pantry.  

The pantry at 224 Shrewsbury Avenue is open on Tuesdays from 9:30 am – 12:00 pm and Thursdays 11:30 am – 2:00 pm.  If you need assistance, you can email the VGCA at VinGopalCivic@gmail.com to schedule an appointment. 

Groups or individuals can drop off non-perishable, protein-rich foods such as peanut butter, granola bars, and tuna fish. Other most-needed food items are ready-to-eat canned meals, canned fruits, vegetables, instant potatoes, canned and dry soup, pork and beans, canned juices, sip-size juices, and hot and cold cereal. 

Donations can be dropped off at the Red Bank Public Library, 84 West Front Street, Red Bank, NJ , during regular business hours.

Affordable Housing Program

Affordable Housing in Red Bank information session will take place in the downstairs meeting room on Thursday January 26th from 6:30-7:30 PM.  Rev. Porter of the Red Bank Affordable Housing Corp. will be here to provide info on the housing rehabilitation program, the first time home-buyer program, and the affordable housing rental application process. No registration is required.  For more info, call (732) 842-0690 x111 or email redbanklibrary@gmail.com.

LOCKER SYSTEM MAKES LIBRARY AVAILABLE 24/7

The Red Bank Public Library’s 24 Locker System allows patrons the flexibility to pick up holds any time of day or night, even when the library is closed! Find out more information here!

Funds for this project were provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant CAGML-248454-OMLS-21. The $67,048 federal grant awarded last year focuses on improving community access. This includes upgrades already made to the Library's Internet service, ensuring patrons can connect to our network without experiencing a drop in speed or connection.

Red Bank Library Locker System

Eisner Opportunity Lab

The Red Bank Public Library has opened the doors to its new Labor and Literacy Lab, a free resource for job-seekers and anyone who wants to improve their computer skills. Located in the historic Eisner Room, the lab is focused on helping people improve their digital literacy and job skills. The lab offers one-on-one computer and mobile device tutoring, Digital Literacy Workshops, Job search assistance, One-one-one ESL Tutoring, Test Proctoring, GED Test Prep all in Spanish, English and Portuguese.

For additional information or questions, visit us online or contact the Red Bank Public Library at (732) 842-0690 x 121 or lab@redbanklibrary.org.

The RBPL is lending Chromebooks!

Cardholders at the RBPL can now check out Chromebooks! As part of our efforts to expand internet and technology access in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the RBPL now has 20 HP Chromebooks that are available to patrons for a 2-week long check out. Like all other items, it can be renewed up to two times (as long as there’s not another hold on it).

The Chromebooks can access the internet over a WiFi connection, and are equipped with the Google Suite of tools, including Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Gmail. They are fairly simple computers to use, but if you need training, we offer that too! The Reference Desk can show you how to turn it on and off and connect to the internet, and if you want to go more in detail, you can schedule 1-on-1 tutoring with the Eisner Opportunity Lab.

When you come into the library, ask at Circulation to check out a Chromebook.

We’ll help you get checked out from there! In the near future, we will also be checking out iPads and Playaway Devices.

Funds for this project were provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant CAGML-248454-OMLS-21.