Rahway Library Board Recap | Furniture, Fundraisers, Financial Review – Feb. 24, 2026

Director Announces New Furniture, Friends Plan Fundraisers, and the Board Reviews Maintenance and Finances

Rahway Library stairs and main entrance.

Chris Howell | February 25, 2026

The Rahway Public Library Board of Trustees met virtually Tuesday night due to lingering impacts from this week’s blizzard.

Early in the meeting, Library Director Ian Sloat announced new furniture will soon be arriving for the library, part of ongoing efforts to modernize public spaces and improve the patron experience.

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Friends Announce Shamrock Fundraiser and Rahway Board Game Project

The Friends of the Rahway Public Library also outlined multiple fundraising initiatives aimed at supporting library programs and improvements.

One upcoming effort is a “Shamrock Fundraiser” lottery ticket drawing scheduled for March 21. Tickets are $5 each for a chance to win $75 worth of lottery tickets. The fundraiser is being promoted as a simple, low-cost way for residents to support the library while participating in a St. Patrick’s Day–themed drawing.

In addition, Friends president Keyarah Newton described a larger project now underway. The group is recreating a classic Monopoly-style board game featuring Rahway businesses. Volunteers are currently going door to door to local businesses seeking donations in exchange for a spot on the custom board. Once all spaces are filled, the Friends plan to produce and sell several dozen boards as a community fundraiser.

Building and Maintenance Updates

Director Sloat detailed several ongoing facilities matters:

  • The freight elevator remains operational but requires a motherboard replacement after repeatedly returning to the ground floor and opening on each level.
  • One of two HVAC units in the auditorium remains down, with replacement heating units on order.
  • Heating disruptions in the Discovery Studio and children’s program room were resolved by maintenance staff.
  • A former office near the reference desk is being converted into a small private study room for public use.
  • Despite HVAC limitations, staff said all scheduled programs continued without cancellation.
Friends of the Rahway Public Library Shamrock lottery ticket fundraiser flyer for March 21, 2026

The Friends of the Rahway Public Library are hosting a Shamrock lottery ticket fundraiser with a March 21, 2026, drawing.

Financial Overview

The January financial statement reflects total income of $403,042.13 and expenses of $141,997.68, resulting in a net operating income of $261,044.45.

February bills totaled $48,163.71. Larger payments included:

• $27,195.76 to Brodart Co., a major library supplier that provides books, cataloging services, and processing materials such as covers and labeling systems.

• $12,107.51 to Demco, Inc., a company that supplies library furniture, shelving, and organizational equipment.

• $2,062.56 to Hoopla (Midwest Tape), a digital content platform that allows patrons to borrow eBooks, audiobooks, movies, and music online.

Other listed vendors included Amazon Capital Services for materials purchases, Precision Accounting LLC for financial services, and Primepoint LLC for payroll processing.

Director Ian Sloat also reported a $3,813 reduction in the library’s mill rate following a New Jersey Tax Court adjustment, bringing the 2025–2026 budget difference to $314,699.

Policy Updates

Trustees reviewed several policy documents, attaching full text to each agenda item.

Collection Development Policy:

This policy explains how books and other materials are selected, evaluated, and occasionally removed. It affirms the library’s commitment to intellectual freedom under New Jersey’s Freedom to Read Act and outlines the formal reconsideration process for challenged materials.

Internet and Computer Use Policy:

This policy governs public computer access, privacy protections, filtering requirements, printing fees, and prohibited uses such as illegal activity or copyright violations.

Patron Request for Reconsideration Form: 

This form allows Rahway residents to formally challenge materials. A review committee evaluates submissions and presents recommendations before the Board makes a final determination.

Programming and Usage

January programming remained active despite weather disruptions.

Children’s programming included 21 events with 676 participants. Teen and adult programming totaled 10 events with 94 participants.

January circulation reached 5,574 items across physical and digital formats, and door counts exceeded 9,500 visits for the month.

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