Bradley Beach Library 5k Walkathon

PACKET PICKUP

Friday, July 22, 4:00-7:00 PM: Bradley Beach Public Library

Saturday, July 23, 7:30 AM: 5th Avenue Gazebo

Fast Forward!

Sign up now for the Friends’ 2nd annual 5K Walk-a-Thon on Saturday, July 23. 

Take a minute to register and plan on walking the “ Boards” with the community in support of library accessibility for all.  Step up to help us meet our obligation to raise $200,000 for the renovation of our "Great Little Library”. We are well on our way and need everyone to participate.

Reminder: the first 300 walkers to reserve a spot receive a backpack, water bottle and T-Shirt.

Breaking News

Bradley Beach's Library will soon break ground to begin needed renovations to its 89-year old building. At long last, this “Great Little Library” will be accessible to all!

Behind the scenes, the Library Board has worked with the Borough Council for years to find the money to bring our building into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). When a successful Bond issue brought the promise of accessibility closer to reality, Friends of the Bradley Beach Library stepped up and pledged to help raise $200,000 to finish the job.

The next step is for the entire community to do its part by coming out in force for the Friend's 2nd annual 5K Walk-a-Thon on Saturday, July 23. The all-volunteer organization welcomes individuals, families, and even dogs to celebrate the anniversary of the ADA’s passage 26 years ago while taking giant steps towards library access for all. It’s overdue

Testimonials

“What’s taking so long?”

Erin K. has always considered the Bradley Beach library her home away from home. Never one to let the rare genetic disorder she has slow her down, she really loves the adventure of searching for new movies and the fun of visiting with the friendly staff.  Now she rarely makes the short trip down the block and across the street to her beloved library. It is just too hard to climb the steps and wrestle open the heavy front doors. Rolling her beautiful blue eyes to express frustration and impatience, Erin nailed it when she asked why the ADA expansion is not finished or even begun: “What’s taking so long? It’s time already!”  We couldn’t agree more. 

“It’s just too hard…”

Joan M. enjoyed many different activities offered by the Bradley Beach Library until a bad back began interfering with her ability to get around. Now that she must use a walker, she finds it increasingly difficult to get up or down the steep stairs without assistance. Joan hates having to ask and unless someone comes along who offers a helping hand, she finds herself literally and figuratively left out.  This proud and independent friend of the library really misses coming to the monthly book club.  For her and so many others, accessibility would mean returning to full participation while adjusting to “the new normal.”

Outside looking in….

A retired teacher who still loves to learn, Catherine G struggles with bone loss following chemotherapy.  It may be hard to get around, but this vibrant volunteer faces every obstacle with a fierce determination to stay active and involved. For the former first-grade teacher, the lack of library access conjures up a colorful image. Thinking of the many delicious treats offered inside, she feels like a little kid outside a candy store she can’t enter. Not content to stay out, she will continue doing all she can to open up the library until everyone can come in. 

 “You don’t think about accessibility issues until they become yours…”

April is the energetic mother of Riza, a super-charged six year-old son, and an 8-month old beauty named Alara. When visiting the library, which she absolutely adores, April must raise her juggling skills to a whole new level. She actually gets palpitations when she faces those steep steps going down to the children’s room. She struggles to keep a tight grip on her slippery little boy while desperately holding onto the railing, She needs another set of hands to manage the baby in her car seat, and can’t help asking, “What if we all came tumbling down?”  Pretty scary thought, right? 

“Just the thought of being cut off from my library makes me cranky.”

Facing a knee replacement, Kathy M is determined not to let this temporary physical disability interfere with her plan to grow old gracefully. She doesn’t mind giving up hiking and zumba, but is deeply distressed by the prospect of not being able to access the library, which she visits at least three times a week. An avid reader, she relishes the short run from her home across the street to participate in book clubs, committee meetings, and, most enjoyable of all, the hunt for new books. This vital, busy senior accepts that she’ll have to curtail many activities during her recovery. However, she considers lack of access to the library to be the biggest pain of all.

“What distinguishes a library from other institutions is access. Otherwise, it’s just an another exclusive club.”

It took Anthony DiMaio less than a “NYC Minute” to calculate the cost of excluding all the people who can’t access our small-town library. According to this marketing expert, it is not only the forgotten users (out of sight; out of mind) who suffer. Our library community is losing out as well. In truth, we won’t know what people who are left out might contribute until they can come into the building as full participants in the different activities and events that enrich daily life. Inclusiveness benefits us all, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone in.