The Foundation for the Red Bank Public Library
Mission
The mission of the Foundation for the Red Bank Public Library is to raise funds to support the long-term fiscal health of the Red Bank Public Library.
History
A great library is the cornerstone of a vibrant community, and Red Bank’s library is beyond great—we believe it’s exceptional! We don’t achieve this through public funding alone. Community support has long been needed to fill the gap left after municipal funding and state aid are exhausted, and our Red Bank community steps up to provide this support every year. To facilitate this, the Foundation for the Red Bank Public Library was created in 2013 to raise funds to ensure the long-term fiscal health and growth of our beloved Library.
Recent Activities
Here are some examples how the Foundation has made a difference in the breadth and scope of services provided to our community during 2022 and 2023:
Health and Wellness programs such as Friday Night Dance Fitness, Chair Yoga, and Everything We Eat—a nutrition education series.
Innovative children’s programming, such as the award-winning monthly virtual Family Story Time on Race and Diversity and the Reading, Activity, and Discovery Lab (RAD Lab) with an experiential science focus. The Borden Foundation seeded the RAD Lab and continues with Library Foundation funds.
Community conversations, including the award-winning series, Let’s Talk About Race.
Unusual resources such as our Seed Library and Story Walk at Riverside Park, which features a new children’s book installation each month.
Improved accessibility (in process now) thanks to a State Grant matched with funds from the Borough and the Foundation. Enhancements will include an easier-to-navigate main entrance, accessible bathrooms, and elevator upgrades to support increased usage.
Software and software updates are deeply discounted due to the Foundation’s membership in Tech Soup, which helps nonprofits keep up with the latest technology. Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat Pro are available to patrons on our public computers.
A subscription to Candid, a database created to help grant-seekers find corporate, family, and private foundations that match their needs. This is the gold standard database used by nonprofits across the country.
Resources for our Latino community, such as Spanish-language Driver’s Education.
In 2024 and 2025, the Library would like to:
Install an outdoor electronic sign to highlight Library events and resources.
Install a second Teletalk booth for patrons, creating an additional private meeting space for virtual calls for legal assistance, job interviews, telehealth visits, and more.
Expand the Seed Library to include education about vegetable gardening, encouraging pollinators, and teaching patrons how to process and store their produce or produce from the farmer’s market.
Launch a Spanish-language GED program.
Membership
The Foundation Board is made up of business owners and private citizens who meet bimonthly to discuss strategies to raise funds in support of the Library. If you are interested in learning more about the Board or volunteer opportunities, please contact the Foundation at (732) 842-0690.
Contribute
Donating to the Foundation is a wonderful way to show your support and help us build a strong and relevant library in Red Bank. Click here to contribute!
2023 FOUNDATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." —Margaret Mead
