Community Corner

Red Bank Library Non-Profit Formed

Board members being recruited for fundraising


The Foundation for the Red Bank Public Library, a 501c3 non-profit, formation of a new non-profit entity designed to support the Red Bank Public Library.

Founded this month, in May of 2013, the Foundation will lead efforts to raise private funds for support of the Red Bank Public Library.

The Red Bank Public Library needs substantial private funding to successfully continue its mission of providing materials, information, technology and cultural opportunities to enrich, empower, educate and entertain people of all ages and backgrounds. 

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Since 1937, the Red Bank Public Library has been located in the family home of Sigmund and Bertha Eisner. The Eisners donated their home on the banks of the Navesink River to the community for use a public library in perpetuity.

John Grandits, President of the Red Bank Public Library Board of Trustees and fellow board member Audrey Oldoerp, have led the effort to establish the Foundation and believe strongly that its success is critical to the future of the library. 

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“A great library is an invaluable educational and cultural asset, but today a great library isn’t possible through public funding alone. We need to focus on attracting private support so that we can continue to evolve and meet the needs of the Red Bank community,” said Grandits.

The foundation will build on the success of the Friends of the Red Bank Public Library. The Friends is a non-profit, membership organization that generously supports the immediate needs of the library through grassroots efforts to promote awareness and raise funds to supplement library programs.

The foundation will focus on long-term funding needs including facility renovations and enhancements. Both the Foundation and the Friends efforts will enhance, not replace state and municipal funding.

“Our Friends group will work closely with the Foundation as it focuses on the long-term financial health of our library," Beth Hanratty, president of the Friends of the Red Bank Public Library, said. "We have a shared goal and our combined efforts will help grow and support the library from a number of different angles.”

The Foundation for the Red Bank Public Library is led by a Board of Directors comprised of volunteers including Peter Simpson and Lou DiMento.

Ex-officio board members are: Virginia Papandrea, director of the Red Bank Public Library; John Grandits and Audrey Oldoerp, on behalf of the Red Bank Public Library Board of Trustees; and Beth Hanratty, on behalf of the Friends of the Red Bank Public Library.

In addition to the directors, the foundation has recruited the assistance of Kathleen Brown to spearhead its efforts. 

Grandits, Olderp and Brown’s priority is recruiting additional dedicated board members who are interested in advancing the fundraising mission of the foundation.

If you are interested in learning more about the Foundation for the Red Bank Public Library, or would like to volunteer, please contact Kathleen Brown @ kcb313@gmail.com.


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