When Plainsboro Library Director Jinny Baeckler was hired in 1991, plans were already well under way for the constructruction of a new library at the municipal complex. The problem, was that the library was designed without the input of a librarian — the person who knows the heart and soul of a library building.##M:[more]##
Since the library opened its doors, it has become the main hub for community activity in the township. So much so, that the township has scrapped its plans to expand the existing building, and instead has decided to build a new library to function as the centerpiece of the Plainsboro Town Center Development (see story on page 1).
This time, Baeckler — armed with more than three decades of directing libraries, lobbying for them, nationally lecturing and writing books about them — will have the chance see a library built according to her vision.
“People now sense that there is a world of life-changing information at their fingertips, and with just a little help, it can be theirs,” she says. “Today everybody loves information. We live in an exciting era. Information is more part of people’s lives than ever before.”
Far beyond being just an expanded municipal library, Baeckler envisions a new, three-story building that will serve as a community learning center for all ages, using all media. The first floor would retain what she terms a mall-like atmosphere, holding the stacks of popular fiction and basic reference, videos, and DVDs. The second floor, above the hum of browsers, will serve as a quiet study area, with a main reading room, stacks, and six small study rooms. Here, the history collection and displays will be available. The third floor will be set aside for children and offer a science center.
Laptop computer portals will abound throughout, and patrons can even borrow laptops to take outside and use on sunny days. The library’s current staff of seven full-time and 25 part-time employees will increase to meet the needs; and the anticipated 125,”000 volume collection will bring Plainsboro up to state standards. A town that provides such excellent learning tools for its children will soon have them available for all its residents.
It was not always so. Through the 1960s until 1986 Plainsboro held only a small association library. Housed in a lovely little white cottage near the current municipal center, paying members would stroll in and select a tome. In 1986 the library turned public, but still remained confined in the 1,”400-square-foot cottage. Then in June, 1991, Baeckler came on board and the concept of library service in the town has never been the same.
Within a year after Baeckler’s arrival, book circulation leapt from 45,”000 per year to 90,”000. The township, already serious about library enhancement, had planned the new quarters to match the ambitions of its new director. By 1993 the current 17,”000-square-foot facility was erected. Within 18 months, circulation had soared to 120,”000 per year; and last year Plainsboro Library circulated 300,”000 items.
At the time of construction of the current library, Baeckler says she pleaded with township officials to “finish the job.” The New Jersey State Library suggests a standard of five volumes per capita for a municipal public library. And Plainsboro planners estimated that the town’s population would soon top out about 24,”000. Using these figures, Baeckler argued that the current facility could barely house half Plainsboro’s future requirements.
While the excitement builds about the prospects for the future, the library has planned an expanded schedule of events for this summer, many of which center around the theme of the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary — the 300th anniversary of the founding father’s birth.
The library will hold events focusing on Franklin’s many facets as an inventor, printer, chess lover, swimmer, musician, fireman, and book lover. Among this summer’s many offerings:
Starlab. Visiting planetarium. Sign up for 20-minute slot. Registration required. Friday, July 1, 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Drills & Skills I. Five-day program for ages nine and up features drills for a Friday game at Plainsboro Park. Tuesday, July 5, 9 a.m.
Bocce Bots I. Plainsboro Park, 609-275-2897. Introductory game of bocce with Spartaco Liberi. Learn the mechanics and rules before constructing a robot to play. For ages 9 and up. Registration required. Tuesday, July 5, 4:30 p.m.
Pringle Posting Challenge. Challenge to pack a pringle and post it to the library in a unique celebration of invention with prizes. As a postmaster, Ben Franklin gave Philadelphia an efficient postal service. Tuesday, July 5, 4 p.m.
Coriolanus. Mext Stage Ensemble presents family version of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy. Free. Wednesday, July 6, 7 p.m.
Improvmania II. Four-week drama course for ages 6 to 8 led by Emily Benjamin. Registration required. Wednesday, July 6, 1:15 p.m.
Improvmania: What’s the Story?. Four-week workshop to explore the science of puppetry and prepare a collection of nursery rhymes to perform at Plainsboro’s Festival of the Arts on Saturday, September 17. For ages 9 and up. Registration required. Wednesday, July 6, 4:30 p.m.
Embroiderers’ Guild. Five-weeks of stitching with Ruth Levy and the Princeton Chapter of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America. For ages 8 to 12. Registration required. Wednesday, July 6, 11:30 a.m.
Printing Safari. East Jersey Olde Towne. Discover the history of printing in New Jersey and see the original, replica, and reconstructed 18th and 19th century structures. Bring your lunch. For kids 9 and up. Ages 9 to 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration required. Thursday, July 7, 10 a.m.
Kites for Big Kids. Discover the principles of flying in the same way that Franklin did. Dr. Zoon KaZoon Kite requires meticulous tissue paper gluing. For adults and kids ages 9 and up. Thursday, July 7, 7 p.m.
Monopoly Marathon. Learn to be smart with money like Ben Franklin. Registration required. Friday, July 8, 7:30 p.m.
Invention Workshop. Experiment with optics and bifocals, make glass music, print, visit a fire engine, and make your choice of kites. Registration required. Friday, July 8, 4:30 p.m.
Invention Visit. Join scientists from FMC to investigate the formula for slime and diaper goo. Registration required. Friday, July 8, 1 p.m.
Arts Festival Team. Artist Maureen Jordan teaches the art of creating colorful stamps. Dress for mess. Registration required. Monday, July 11, 4 p.m.
Instant Poster Challenge. Bring your favorite fact, quote, picture, or story about Benjamin Franklin. Make your own poster with poster board and art supplies for display in the library. Awards for artistry, inventiveness, and content. Tuesday, July 12, 4 p.m.
Ben Franklin Visits. Ralph Archbold, who portrays Ben Franklin on the History Channel, visits, meets Plainsboro Mayor Peter Cantu, and gives a talk. Wednesday, July 13, 4:30 p.m.
Batteries and Bulbs Family Science Lab. Hands on fun with batteries, wires, bulbs, switches, and mystery circuits. All children must have an adult partner. Thursday, July 14, 7 p.m.
Invention Visit. Visit to Princeton Plasma Physics. Registration required. Friday, July 15, 1 p.m.
Egg Dropping Competition. 12th annual competition to create a device to protect a raw egg when dropped from heights of six feet and higher. Rules and official kits are available at the library. Rain or shine. Registration required. Free. Tuesday, July 19, 7 p.m.
Bocce Bots II. Plainsboro Park, 609-275-2897. Introductory game of bocce with Spartaco Liberi. Learn the mechanics and rules before constructing a robot to play. For ages 9 and up. Registration required. Tuesday, July 19, 4:30 p.m.
Simultaneous Chess Match. Jon Edwards takes on 15 players. Registration required. Wednesday, July 20, 7 p.m.
Nature Creations. Plainsboro Preserve, 609-275-2897. Meet Emily Benjamin at the preserve to explore nature through drama, art, science, and movement. All ages. Registration required. Thursday, July 21, 11 a.m.
The Great Scavenger Hunt. Explore the library at night and discover things you never knew about Ben Franklin. Registration required. Friday, July 22, 7:30 p.m.
London Assurance. Next Stage Ensemble presents family version of Dion Bouscicault’s madcap comedy. The Irish playwright was only 21 when he took the London box office by storm in 1841. Free. Wednesday, July 27, 7 p.m.
Spelling Bee. Match wits against your neighbor in a competition for all ages. Thursday, July 28, 7 p.m.
Friday Night Live: Harry Potter. What do Harry Potter, Benjamin Franklin, and public libraries have in common? Friday, July 29, 7 p.m.
Anything that Floats Contest. Waters Edge Park, 609-275-2897. Tenth annual contest now includes cardboard canoe race following national rules and regulations. Registration required. Saturday, July 30, 10 a.m. to noon.
Franklin Institute. Two scientists demonstration the inventions of electrical pioneers of Allesandro Volta, Hans Oersted, Michael Faraday, and Benjamin Franklin. Wednesday, August 3, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Invention Challenge. Plainsboro, 609-275-2897. Build the tallest, stable tower with toothpicks and marshmallows. Prizes awarded. Friday, August 5, 4 p.m.
International Banquet. Worldwide culinary invention, pinata fun, door prizes. Saturday, August 6, 6:30 p.m.
— by Bart Jackson
