Janet Campisano – New SBPL Trustee Longtime Library Fan

 Janet Campisano may be a new face on the Board of Trustees at South Brunswick Public Library, but she certainly is not new to the Library or the community.

“I have always enjoyed its services,” said Ms. Campisano, referring to story hours, movies, yoga classes, and other programs she and her family have enjoyed over the years.

 While she and husband Anthony Campisano raised their two daughters Katie and Emily, Ms. Campisano became an active volunteer in the South Brunswick schools and community.  The Kendall Park resident served on the Brunswick Acres PTO, Project Graduation for South Brunswick High School, and the Township Environmental Commission. 

 Ms. Campisano graduated from Rutgers University and attended Columbia University, where she studied psychology before going to work in social work and later advertising.

 She is currently on the Affordable Housing Commission. Her husband Anthony Campisano has a New Brunswick law practice and serves as an Assistant Township Attorney in South Brunswick.

 In her spare time, Ms. Campisano is a certified home decorator, enjoys hiking and the outdoors, and loves reading, especially historical fiction.  One of her favorites is Herman Wouk’s Winds of War.  She last read Nancy Horan’s Loving Frank.

 While she enjoys coming to the Library for its books and programs, Ms. Campisano also gets a particular homey feeling here.

  “It’s a very comforting atmosphere.”

 Her father Morris Segal was a regular Library visitor each week as was her uncle the famed artist George Segal.  He served on the Library Board of Trustees

 A world-renowned artist/sculptor, George Segal is known for being part of the Pop Art Movement, alongside artists such as Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.

 His sculpture Couple Against a Grey Brick Wall was gifted to SBPL through the George and Helen Segal Foundation in 2007.   The life-size creation is located in the Library’s main lobby.

 “He was a wonderful gentleman,” recalled Ms. Campisano, remembering her uncle as a kind, intelligent, and down-to-earth type of person despite his notoriety. The artist passed away in 2000. 

Having a Segal sculpture in our lobby makes the Library part art museum, along with equal parts community center and information resource.  She feels it is imperative that the modern Library’s role be to stay current with advancements in technology and information sharing. 

 “It’s an important niche in our community,” says Ms. Campisano.  “I am very excited about being given the honor of serving as a Trustee on the Library Board.  The South Brunswick Library has so much to offer to the residents, and I am proud to assist with keeping our library a great place, as well as, helping to make it an even better place.”