Board of Trustees meeting minutes and agendas are posted for viewing HERE.

Minutes prior to 2023 are available by contacting Esper Highcock, ehighcock@penningtonlibrary.org

How the Library is Funded

The Pennington Public Library’s funding is primarily determined by New Jersey State Law (N.J.S.A. 40:54-8), which mandates that municipalities with local libraries allocate funding according to the one-third mill formula. This formula provides 33 cents for every $1,000 of assessed property value. For example, a property assessed at $100,000 would contribute $33 annually – less than a dollar per week – towards library services.

While many municipalities choose to fund their libraries above this state-mandated minimum, the Pennington Public Library has historically received only the minimum amount. The Library Board of Trustees oversees the library’s finances and budget, ensuring that these funds are used effectively to serve the community. In addition to municipal funding, the library also benefits from the generous contributions of the Friends of the Pennington Public Library, who provide vital support for programs and resources. These contributions supplement the municipal funding and allow the library to offer enriched services to the community.

Board of Trustees Bios

Julie Aberger, Vice President

Julie Aberger is a 44-year resident of Pennington and a New Jersey native. She is the mother of three adult children, all educated in the Hopewell Township school system. Her husband Peter, who died in 2011, was a professor of Foreign Languages at Rider University. Julie edited a volunteer EMS magazine for 20 years, entitled The Gold Cross, the official publication of the NJ State First Aid Council. For 35 years, she was an active volunteer member of the Pennington First Aid Squad responding to 911 calls. In addition, as an EMT instructor over the years, she trained hundreds of EMTs for the Hopewell Valley squads. Eventually, she became certified as an NJ paramedic and worked in Trenton. A long-time member of the Pennington United Methodist Church, Julie wrote a cemetery reenactment for its 225th anniversary that was reproduced in 2017 by the church, the Pennington Public Library, and the Hopewell Valley Historical Society.

Joseph J. Bielamowicz, Jr., Treasurer

Joseph J. Bielamowicz, Jr. is a CPA and retired Internal Audit Director for Princeton University. He and his family have resided in Pennington since 1976. Joe is in his third five-year term on the Library Board.

Hilary Burke, President

Hilary Burke has called Pennington home since 1994. She enjoys living in town with its convenient access to hiking/biking trails and public libraries. Hilary joined the board in 2019, and is currently serving as President. Previously, she has served on the Planning Board as the Mayor’s Designee and as President and board member of the Hopewell Valley Historical Society.

David R. Dewberry

David R. Dewberry is a local college professor; the tools of his trade are books and a word processor. He was born and raised in Arkansas, where a local museum displays his father’s antiquated library card. Since then, he has worked in many fine public libraries in the US and abroad, studying very hard. From public libraries in American Samoa to Oxfordshire, he has settled in Pennington with his wife and sons. They visit local libraries to check out books and do their work, which seems to pile on by the tons.

Meredith Moore

Meredith Moore, and her husband Steve Rabbe, moved to Pennington in 2004. She is principal for a communications and marketing consulting firm serving the energy and environment sectors. She also serves on the boards of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation, Bunbury Fund of the Princeton Area Community Foundation, and the Philander Chase Conservancy. A strong supporter of local businesses, Meredith appreciates the Hopewell Valley’s natural beauty, history and the neighborliness of its residents.

Carol Olson, Secretary

Carol Olson moved to Pennington over 30 years ago with her husband Dennis and their two children, Eric and Kristen.  She was a computer teacher at Toll Gate Grammar School and retired after 25 years teaching.  Since retiring from Toll Gate, she has been the technology coordinator at Princeton Day School. Carol joined the board in 2021.

Daniel I. Rubenstein, Council Representative

Dan Rubenstein is a renowned behavioral ecologist who has dedicated his career to understanding how environmental factors and individual differences shape the social behavior and population dynamics of wild equids, particularly horses, zebras, and asses. His research spans from field studies across the globe to collaborations with local communities in Kenya to develop sustainable grazing strategies. Dr. Rubenstein has pioneered citizen science initiatives and is at the forefront of computational field ecology, leveraging technology to enhance conservation efforts. He has received numerous accolades, including the Animal Behavior Society’s Exemplar award and the Sigma Xi Honor Society’s McGovern Science & Society Award. Dr. Rubenstein recently assumed the presidency of Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Honor Society, reflecting his leadership and dedication to advancing scientific discovery and its impact on society. He is also currently a councilmember of Pennington Borough, NJ, demonstrating his commitment to civic engagement alongside his scientific pursuits.

Michelle Schragger, Mayoral Representative

Michelle Schragger is a lifelong resident of Mercer County and has spent the last 33 years in Hopewell Township. She has lived in an historic home in Pennington Borough since 2016. Passionate about literacy, Michelle worked at her campus library at James Madison University and volunteered at the Bear Tavern Elementary library while her 3 children attended there. In addition, she leads a local book club that has been meeting monthly for more than 20 years. Michelle is a member of the Hopewell Valley Historical Society and works at the Capital Health Foundation in Pennington.

Amy Sullivan

Amy Sullivan was born and raised in New Jersey. She lived in New York City for more than two decades before returning to her home state in early 2021, moving with her husband and son to Pennington Borough. Amy has had a long career in non-profit fundraising, including in-house positions at The Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and The New York Landmarks Conservancy. She is now the Director of Development for Girls in Gear and also consults independently for a number of nonprofits. Her son is a student at The Pennington School and her husband works in book publishing. Reading and literacy are very important parts of their family life.

Rosetta Treece, School Representative

Dr. Rosetta Treece has been an educator for 20 years. During her time in public school education, she has served as a high school English Teacher, Vice Principal, Principal, and Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction. Dr. Treece is the Superintendent of Schools for Hopewell Valley Regional School District. Dr. Treece graduated Magna Cum Laude from the College of New Jersey earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Secondary Education. She holds a master’s degree in Educational Administration and earned her Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership from Rowan University. Her doctoral thesis was on how to promote emotional intelligence in adolescents. Dr. Treece is an Advanced Nurtured Heart Trainer and a Peer Leader. She is an Attitudes in Reverse (A.I.R.) therapy dog handler and a mental health champion. She is committed to preparing teachers, support staff, and school leaders to create learning environments that are culturally responsive and that cultivate resiliency in young adults.