The Rahway Public Library went public Friday on social media with drastic changes to its programming due to “funding challenges,” prompting residents to hold a rally tonight.

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According to posts on Facebook and Instagram, the changes include: Immediately stopping all library programming;

• Modified hours, including closing earlier on Wednesdays and closing entirely on Saturdays;
• No longer purchasing new physical items; and,
• Ending contracts with Hoopla, Kanopy, and their mobile hotspot provider.

The library ended its announcement with a call to action for concerned residents to attend upcoming City Council meetings and the Rahway Public Library Board of Trustees September 27 meeting.

The changes have caused outrage among residents across social media, with hundreds of users noting that the library is “important to the community” and that the programming and materials are “a backbone for the Rahway community.”

Among the comments on a multitude of different posts about the funding issue was the same comment from Mayor Ray Giacobbe, blaming the library’s executive director, Ian Sloat, and calling the library Board of Trustees’ actions unacceptable.

Concerned residents aren’t just voicing their concerns online. Several have begun organizing to fundraise and protest the changes.
Hannah Hergenhan sharted a Change.org campaign, “Support Rahway Library: Prevent Devastating Budget Cuts and Service Reductions,” attempting to earn 1,500 signatures. As of September 2, the petition has already received more than 1,000 signatures.

A “Fund the Library Rally” is scheduled to take place outside City Hall at 6 p.m. before tonight’s City Council pre-conference meeting. City Council is scheduled to meet for its regular meeting on Monday at 7 p.m.

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