Karen Naughton Killmurray cut the ribbon for the building named in honor of her late husband, Christopher J. Killmurray, former Deputy Mayor of South Brunswick.
Our Bureau
South Brunswick, NJ
The South Brunswick Public Library (SBPL) celebrated the grand opening of its expanded and renovated Christopher J. Killmurray Building on Saturday, October 17, 2026, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and Family Carnival. The project, part of the library’s Building the Next Chapter: Constructing Community Spaces initiative, was supported by public funding, community donors, and a three-year capital fundraising campaign led by the South Brunswick Public Library Foundation (SBPL Foundation).
Karen Naughton Killmurray cut the ribbon for the building named in honor of her late husband, Christopher J. Killmurray, former Deputy Mayor of South Brunswick. The Speakers included South Brunswick Mayor Charlie Carley; Muhammad Ashraf, President of the Library Board of Trustees; Ruth Ruddick, representing the Friends of the South Brunswick Public Library; Bina Mehta, SBPL Foundation President and Capital Campaign Chair; and New Jersey State Senator Andrew Zwicker of Legislative District 16. Following the ceremony, families enjoyed carnival attractions, a bounce house, refreshments, and musical entertainment in the library’s new Friends Theatre.
The expansion introduces expanded Teen Rooms, four reservable workspaces, a Quiet Room, an Innovation Lab, family and caregiver restrooms, the SBPL Foundation Meeting Room, and the Friends Theatre. These new and improved spaces offer additional opportunities for studying, collaboration, creative learning, performances, cultural programming, and community gatherings.
The SBPL Foundation led a three-year capital campaign and pledged $350,000 and additional support toward the project. Mehta thanked the donors, public officials, community organizations, and library staff whose contributions helped make the expansion possible.
“On behalf of my fellow Foundation members, we are deeply thankful to our supporters and donors who believed in this vision and chose to invest in improving the library’s spaces and services for everyone. I am incredibly proud of our community for coming together to make this possible,” Mehta said. She also acknowledged the challenges of advancing the project during the COVID-19 pandemic and thanked Library Director Chris Carbone and his staff for their dedication and support.
The expansion and renovation project was supported by a combination of public funding and private philanthropy. A major source of public support was funding through the New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act, administered by the New Jersey State Library. Additional grants and funding support came from Middlesex County, the New Jersey State Library, and the State of New Jersey. The South Brunswick Public Library Foundation worked with New Jersey State Senator Andrew Zwicker to secure additional state funding beyond the amount previously approved for the project. The Foundation also contributed through its three-year capital campaign, pledging $350,000 and additional support, with donations from individuals and organizations helping advance the project. Together, these public and private investments made the expansion and renovation possible.
The expanded Christopher J. Killmurray Building strengthens the library’s role as a community hub, providing residents of all ages with enhanced spaces for learning, creativity, collaboration, and cultural engagement.
About the South Brunswick Public Library Foundation
Founded in 1996, the South Brunswick Public Library Foundation supports the preservation and advancement of the South Brunswick Public Library through fundraising, philanthropy, and community partnerships. Current Foundation members include Bina Mehta, MZ Patel, Rajesh Mehta, Jonathan Pitt, Martin Hernandez, and Library Director Chris Carbone.