ENGLEWOOD, N.J.—Englewood Public Library’s dedicated staff, trustees and volunteer supporters envision a vibrant, expanded facility to serve as the city’s cultural center for generations to come.
To begin a fundrasing effort to support a planned expansion, the library launched its capitol campaign with a spectacular fundraiser, “A Novel Night,” on Sept. 5 at SPACE on South Dean Street.
Close 200 people flocked to the festive fundraiser, including many community leaders such as state Assemblyman Gordon Johnson and the entire Englewood City Council—President Katharine Glynn, Charles Cobb, Wayne Hamer, Cheryl Rosenberg and Michael Cohen.
“This event is the kick off for our ongoing capital campaign to renovate and expand the Englewood Public Library,” said Library Director John Arthur. “Our goal is to provide the best services, collections, educational opportunities, and work, meeting, and performance spaces we can for the community, but we could not do it without the support of community members.”
The evening was infused with memorable jazz music by the Calvin Hill Group—well known for his outstanding, ongoing contributions to jazz music and locally for curating the library’s “Jazz Under the Stars” concert series—and guests enjoyed a delicious array of food and wines, including Kosher options.
At 7 p.m., there was a presentation of the evening’s four honorees: Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes; civil rights leader and former state Assemblyman Arnold Brown; Hill, the iconic jazz musician; and President of the Friends of the Englewood Public Library Ella Urdang.
The four community leaders who were honored are all individuals who have greatly enriched the Englewood Public Library, as well as the community.
With revenue from the Novel Night and other donations, the library will be building a modern addition to increase the capabilities of the library and be sustainable for future decades. There is also an opportunity for funding through New Jersey’s Library Construction Bond Act, a matching grant program for which the city has earmarked $2.5 million in capital funding.
Plans for the addition feature a two-story cube, which will complement the existing circular building and provide flexible space for events, programs, and library materials. A video of the proposed plans by Arcani Iovino Architects can be seen at: bit.ly/eplexpansion.
In an eloquent tribute, Mayor Wildes summed up the value of the Englewood Public Library.
“Our library provides so much more for our community than just books. It’s a beautiful, historic building where people from every part of our city can come and find something to enrich their lives,” Wildes said.
Providing entertainment and education to the city’s mosaic of cultures and all age groups, Wildes said the “library is a safe and welcoming place for kids of all ages.”
“The film, music and writing groups, along with cultural and historical presentations and state-of-the-art technology do an amazing job of highlighting Englewood’s history and diversity and giving our creative nature a place to flourish,” Wildes said.
Behind much of the success of the evening and generally helping to further the library’s initiatives and success is the Friends of the Englewood Public Library group.
These boosters help fund various library programs and projects, and host a popular semi-annual book sale.
The Friends consist of Serena Carson, Bobbie Bouton-Goldberg, Deiadre Helm, Lisa Levien, Irmari Nacht, Louise Schwartz, Birgitha Tray, Ella Urdang, Connie Lee, Jonathan Nacht, Dorothy Nelsen-Gille, Kathy Silberstein and Adolfo Borromeo. Most of these friends were at the gala greeting and chatting with guests.
“If we want to continue to properly serve our growing community, expand on our amazing programming, and provide a space for everyone, we have to give our library the support and resources to keep pace and expand along with it,” Wildes said. “The Board of Trustees, Friends of the Library and other organizations are working both hard and smart in pursuit of this, seeking out grants and matching funds, and looking for additional ways to raise funds such as increasing book sales. I’m proud to support this initiative, and thankful to all of you for your generosity in showing your love for our community.”
In conjunction with the library’s renovation and expansion plan, it is now embarking on a fundraising campaign in which donors will be honored by having their name placed on a plaque in the renovated building. For information on this, go to: www.englewoodlibrary.org.
The Novel Night sponsors were The Family of Miriam Lubarr (Gold level), NVE Bank (Silver level) and Visions Federal Credit Union (Bronze level) and praise was given to the fundraising committee members Board Chair Stacey Rosenzweig and President Nina Nanasi.
Photos by Hillary Viders
