Rahway Library Ending DVD Fees, Planning Food Donation Drive
Board members also heard updates on building repairs, a record turnout at the library’s fall open house, and a gross TikTok challenge.
October 29, 2025
At its October 28 meeting, the Rahway Public Library Board voted to eliminate rental fees for DVDs, ending a practice still used by only one other library in the area.
Library Director Ian Sloat said the $630 collected last year was not worth the administrative burden or the inconvenience to patrons.
“It’s not really money that seems worth the hassle,” Sloat told the board. “Our patrons can stream content for free through the library, and charging for DVDs just doesn’t make sense anymore.”
Sloat also reported that the library is exploring a holiday partnership with local organizations to collect food and household donations to help residents affected by the federal government shutdown.
“With uncertainty around SNAP funding and the holidays coming up, we want to be a place where people can give or get help,” he said.
The board also approved plans for a staff safety and emergency training day to be scheduled early next year. The session will cover first aid, CPR, fire safety, and active shooter preparedness.
Facilities and Maintenance Updates
Director Ian Sloat opened his facilities report with an unusual issue.
He said there have been repeated incidents in one of the library’s aisles that may be linked to a viral social media stunt known as the “pee challenge.” The online trend encourages participants to urinate in public places and post the videos online.
“We’re concerned that we were hit,” Sloat said, noting that one aisle in the library’s stacks has smelled like pee on multiple occasions. “Nothing showed up on TikTok when we looked. We did find other New Jersey libraries unfortunately.”
To address the situation, Sloat said he purchased a camera system to monitor the affected area.
“If it does happen again, we’ll be able to figure out who’s doing it and ban them from the library,” he added. “If it is happening, it’s disgusting and unsanitary.”
The incident came amid a broader update on the library’s building maintenance projects. Sloat said staff have been working with Advanced Mechanical Corp., the new HVAC vendor, to modernize the system’s software and resolve the lingering breakdown of one unit. The library switched vendors this fall after repeated service issues over the summer with its previous provider.
He added that the library passed its annual fire inspection earlier this month and that painting in the children’s area has been completed, with new work underway in the reference section near the river-facing windows. The sprinkler system in the garage also passed its safety test, though the aging water fountains in the children’s room will soon need replacement.
Open House and Programming
The board celebrated the success of the library’s October 18 open house. The event drew 683 visitors, the board said, one of the largest single-day turnouts on record.
“People came from Rahway Day and stayed for the events here,” said Board Vice President Tom O’Reiley, who suggested coordinating future open houses with the city’s community celebrations.
Children’s Librarian Elizabeth Hoens is also preparing a new reading program featuring a therapy cat and possibly a dog.
The board reported holding 20 programs with 639 participants in September, and logging more than 7,000 visitors.
With new books always in demand, Sloat noted that longtime book supplier Baker & Taylor is closing after 20 years. The library has temporarily switched to Amazon for new materials and is evaluating other vendors including Brodart, Follett, and Ingram.
The Central Jerseyan visited Rahway Library’s open house. Scroll to see more of the event.
Financial Report
The board approved a treasury report showing a balance of $27,367.41, slightly higher than usual due to delayed legal payments and expenses tied to the open house.
Fortunately, the library is expecting a financial boost. Rahway’s state library funding will increase nearly 22 percent in 2026, bringing the total to $318,512.
Before adjournment, board member Allison Jerez-Toro thanked the Friends of the Library for their continued volunteer support and mentioned the success of their October tapestry event and breast cancer awareness program.
***Editor’s note: This article was updated for clarity.***