Sri Sathya Sai International Organization - USA

On September 9, 2026, the Township of North Bergen, NJ, celebrated the grand reopening of the newly renovated Sai Rao Public Library, with more than 850 community members and city officials joining the festivities.

Named for Sai Lakshmi Rao, USA-SSSIO (Sri Sathya Sai International Organization) Mid-Atlantic Regional Service Coordinator, the library was officially renamed in July to recognize Sai Rao’s decades of leadership and service to North Bergen and its nearly 62,000 residents.

The celebration marked the completion of an extensive renovation of the township’s flagship library branch, offering residents the opportunity to tour the transformed facility. SSSIO-USA Mid-Atlantic Region officers attending the event noted that the original building opened on Avatar Declaration Day, October 1985, with an addition on Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s birthday, Nov. 23, 1994. They wondered whether Swami Himself planned these events for these auspicious dates. 

North Bergen Mayor Nick Sacco noted that, “This beautiful new library represents a major investment in the people of North Bergen and in the future of our community. Sai Rao has dedicated decades of her life to making our library system what it is today, and I can think of no better way to recognize that legacy than to have this incredible facility bear her name. Generations of North Bergen residents will learn, grow, and come together here.”

Under Rao’s 35-year leadership, the library has expanded beyond traditional services to offer career assistance, citizenship preparation, adult education, technology access, cultural awareness, youth programming, health initiatives, and educational opportunities for residents of all ages. In partnership with the SSSIO, Sai Rao helped the library host free health fairs and a weekly pop-up grocery outlet that provides fresh produce to those in need. She also secured millions of dollars in grant funding to support the library system's continued growth, as well as a $3.5 million grant to renovate the building.

A North Bergen resident for more than 30 years, Rao grew up with caring parents dedicated to Sri Sathya Sai and serving the community. She shared that Sathya Sai Baba's teachings on service, along with examples such as her parents and grandaunt, inspired her.

Her father emigrated from India to the U.S. in the 1950s, studied library science, and strongly influenced her career. Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the driving influence on her life, is evident in the new Love All Serve All Health and Community Center at the library and in the various initiatives planned. Envisioned as a dedicated space for community wellness programs, cultural awareness gatherings, multi-faith celebrations, professional development, collaboration, and service, the center is intended to be a place of learning, healing, and worship for everyone in the community.

During the reopening, Rao noted that “The reopening of this library is an incredibly meaningful moment for me, but more importantly, it is a celebration of what this library means to our entire community. Our residents, staff, library board, and township leadership made everything we have accomplished possible. This renewed library was created with our residents in mind, and I am so proud to welcome them back to a place that will always belong to them.”

On any given day, more than 250 people use the facility, “and it is like a train station,” said Rao. “People are bustling all about, and the rooms are always full. People come here to learn various spoken languages, to develop career skills, and even to get vaccinated. I always tell my patrons to ask for what you want, and if we don’t have it, we will make it available at the soonest.”

Rao is the first woman to serve as executive director of the township’s library system. She says what drives her is her love for people and community: “I like people. They are my strength and weakness. I get energized and feel the need to help them.”

She oversees a staff of more than 50 people and says, “We share a similar commitment. They love their jobs and are very enthusiastic. Many live in the community, as well.” She adds that each day she trusts that, “If I did not do something for the community, it was because I didn’t know about it, not because I was negligent. I pray that each day, when I go to work, I leave the library better than when I came in.”

Attendees included Mayor Sacco, several town officials, and President Alex Grana of the Sri Sathya Sai International Organization-USA.

In addition to her library leadership, Rao serves on the North Bergen Board of Education and has held numerous regional leadership roles. She is a member of the Sri Sathya Sai Center of Jersey City and continues to explore ways to incorporate Swami’s teachings into the community. One example is North Bergen's community day of service on October 20, 2026, Sai’s Avatar Declaration Day. Planned activities include assembling sandwiches for a local food pantry, making cards for seniors, and dropping off canned goods and clothing to help those in need.  What a wonderful, inspiring example of Swami's divine instrument, spreading His message and His work!