Somerset County Library System

“Making a difference in people’s lives”

Contact: Manny Miracle                                               Phone: (908) 526-4016 x 136

Bridgewater Library                                                      Fax: (908) 707-8324

P.O. Box 6700                                                             Email: miracle@sclsnj.org

1 Vogt Drive                                        PHOTOGRAPHER/REPORTER WELCOME

Bridgewater N.J. 08807

Date: February 5, 2007                                                For more information please contact

For: Immediate Release                                                Bound Brook Director, Hannah Kerwin

Bound Brook Library Opens!                                       (732) 356-0043 or hkerwin@sclsnj.org

The Somerset County Library System is pleased to announce that the Bound Brook Memorial Library will open to the public on February 15 at 9:30 am.

The extensive renovation project funded by the Borough of Bound Brook includes a new heating, ventilation and cooling system for the entire building, a water drainage system and a floor-to-ceiling renovation of the children’s department on the lower level.

In the Children’s Department, Bound Brook and South Bound Brook residents can expect to see a large children’s room, a new program room, a new tile floor, new walls, a whimsical new ceiling, new windows, new doors, and a new electric, cable and HVAC system.

A custom-made circulation desk, paid for by the Borough of Bound Brook, along

with a counter and six chairs funded by the Friends of the Bound Brook Memorial Library (for use with six children’s computers) are designed with the youngest patron in mind. New oak shelving, a preschool-themed area rug, wooden wall activity panels and an activity cube for preschoolers as well as a “sand table” – enclosed magnetic raceway for children, paid for by the Bound Brook Memorial Library Advisory Board contribute to a child-friendly atmosphere that’s sure to please many families.

On the main level of the library, adults can expect to see more public computers

more books, audio books, CDs and DVDs. Freshly painted public spaces, new non-glare lighting, refinished wood, new carpeting in the computer room and reupholstered lounge chairs contribute to a refreshed library space residents can be proud of.

The impressive renovation of the library’s Reading Room was accomplished with the help of the Bound Brook community. Thanks to a generous bequest from Bound Brook resident Grace Emerson, 10 elegant new pendant light fixtures grace the ceiling. The installation of the new lighting was completed with the help of Bound Brook resident, Howard Wagner of the electrical company, DeWitt Van Nast along with a volunteer crew of local electricians and residents with construction experience.

According to Bound Brook Director Hannah Kerwin, “With substantially increased funding through the Somerset County Library System, the library will now have increased staffing, more open hours and many more books, audio books, CDs and DVDs for children and adults to borrow.”

The Bound Brook Library will now be open longer, starting a half an hour earlier every morning and remaining open on Wednesday evenings . The new library hours are: Mon.-Thurs., 9:30-9:00 and Fri.-Sat., 9:30-5:00.

Although the library will be open to the public as of Feb.15, a grand-reopening ceremony is being planned for Sunday, March 25 at 2:00 p.m.

As part of the larger Somerset County Library System community, library cardholders have access to a greater array of shared services and library materials, both print and non-print. The library’s online catalog enables users to reserve library materials and have them sent to the most convenient library branch for pick-up. SCLS also offers digital books and e-audio books, many electronic databases and online book clubs via the library website. Bound Brook and South Bound Brook residents are encouraged to visit the Bound Brook Library and obtain a new library card if they haven’t signed up for one already.

The Somerset County Library System has branches in Bound Brook, Bridgewater, Hillsborough, Peapack, North Plainfield, Rocky Hill, Warren and Watchung. Further information about SCLS may be found on the library’s website at www.somerset.lib.nj.us

-30-