New Lenox Library Launches Care Cabinet to Support Community Needs

The New Lenox Public Library has officially opened a care cabinet in its lobby, providing essential items and Narcan to support community members in need. This initiative, launched on December 4, 2023, aims to assist individuals who may feel uncomfortable asking for help directly. Executive Director Michelle Krooswyk emphasized that the library serves more than just literary needs, reflecting the community’s diverse requirements.

The care cabinet offers free resources, including shower products, deodorant, toothpaste, gloves, chapstick, first-aid supplies, socks, and Narcan, which is used to reverse opioid overdoses. Funded by a $1,000 grant from the Friends of The New Lenox Library, this project was initially set to launch in January 2026. However, due to cuts in federal assistance programs impacting low-income residents, the opening was expedited to December at the request of Melissa Seaberg, the administrative library coordinator.

Krooswyk expressed her commitment to ensuring that the library remains a reliable resource for the community during challenging times. While the library is not a social service agency, staff members are equipped to connect individuals with necessary support. “There are people from all walks of life that come here, and we want to be welcoming and supportive,” Krooswyk stated.

The care cabinet is designed to provide assistance without judgment. Seaberg noted that many community members have already utilized the resources available, particularly items like lip balm, gloves, deodorant, and toothbrushes, indicating a significant demand. The library has partnered with the Heroin Epidemic Relief Organization to distribute Narcan, after the organization reached out to offer free medication packages upon learning about the cabinet.

The community’s response has been overwhelmingly positive, with individuals contributing their own supplies to the cabinet. To maintain hygiene, library staff have requested that donors refrain from placing items directly into the cabinet. Instead, they encourage monetary contributions through the library’s website or donations via an Amazon wish list.

Krooswyk cited inspiration from the Rock Island Public Library’s care cabinet initiative, which was presented at a meeting for PrairieCat, a library technology consortium. She highlighted the collaborative spirit within the library community, stating, “We are always trying to share ways or give ideas that worked at my library.”

As the initiative gained momentum, Seaberg efficiently organized the cabinet, bins, and supplies. To further engage the community, she launched a fundraiser that allows participants to enter a chance to win one of the library’s six crocheted holiday kittens, a playful mascot inspired by a lighthearted joke among staff.

Krooswyk also noted that the library offers various non-literary resources, including tech support for older adults, a warm space for unhoused residents, assistance for job seekers, and a gathering place for homeschool families. In 2020, the library successfully passed a referendum to increase its tax rate, ensuring its financial sustainability while continuing to serve the community.

The care cabinet will remain accessible during library hours, and the crocheted cat fundraiser concludes on December 16. Looking ahead, the library plans to unveil a new café space in January and launch a winter reading program. With the library celebrating its 25th anniversary next year, Krooswyk indicated that discussions regarding additional renovations will take place with the library board, as the building approaches this significant milestone.