Westfield Memorial Library installs menstrual product dispensers offering products at no charge

The Westfield Memorial Library located at 550 East Broad Street recently installed menstrual product dispensers in a majority of the public and staff restrooms. These dispensers replace the coin-operated ones that the library previously had, and they offer menstrual products for no cost.

The organic cotton products, offered by the woman-founded and woman-owned company Aunt Flow, can be found in the staff bathrooms, the gender-neutral bathroom by the reference department on the second floor, and the two women's rooms on the first floor.

This initiative is the result of legislative changes occurring across the United States that impact menstruators’ access to period products. Many states have enacted laws requiring free pads and tampons to be provided in schools, universities, city-owned buildings, detention facilities, and shelters.

In 2023, Gov. Murphy signed S-1221 into law (P.L.2023, c.147), requiring school districts to provide menstrual products in public schools serving grades 6-12.

“Providing free menstrual products in our restrooms is a simple but meaningful way to support the dignity, comfort, and well-being of our community,” said Allen McGinley, Library Director. “We strive to remove barriers to access, and that includes ensuring that no one has to leave the library because they don’t have what they need.”

According to the 2023 State of the Period study commissioned by PERIOD and Thinx, Inc., 25% of teens report missing schoolwork because of a lack of access to products.

To sign up for a library card, or learn more about the library’s resources, please visit https://wmlnj.org/, or follow the library on Instagram. Library hours are Monday - Thursday 9:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; and Sunday 1:00-5:00 p.m.