The Chapel Hill Public Library is known for the variety of free services it offers to community members. This week, it unveiled a new one to those who visit its restrooms: free menstrual products.

The library unveiled new dispensers for tampons and pads on Tuesday, which are in each of the building’s restrooms and do not require any type of payment.

Susan Brown, the library’s director, spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck about the service and feature — saying she was inspired by a vendor pitch by the Aunt Flow dispenser company and saw how it aligned with the library’s goals.

“This something we’d been thinking about in an effort to make our spaces more inclusive, accessible, and all of that,” said Brown. “Also, we’re trying to destigmatize [conversation] around these things. We’re just really happy to [provide] this.”

Brown credited Library Experiences Assistant Taylor Bugge with much of the implementation of the idea. Not only does providing tampons and pads help improve comfort and keep patrons in the library, but the free dispensers improve equity for its visitors.

“Menstrual products are expensive,” Bugge said in a release about the dispensers’ launch. “In North Carolina and many other states they are taxed on top of their retail price as ‘luxury goods.’ Providing these products may be the difference between whether a patron can stay at the library to take advantage of our resources and programs, or missing out on these experiences due to a lack of access.”

Brown said she believes while the initiative furthers the library’s individual hospitality goals, but it sets an example of how other institutions can provide such services. She added that having the products in all bathrooms helps combat stigma around menstruation, who needs such products, and periods as a topic of conversation.

“Just like we provide free books and [can help] if you need a paper clip or some scotch tape, this is kind of in that same vein,” Brown said. “And it’s also, hopefully, trying to set a new standard and say, ‘This is how a public institution could operate.'”

The five total dispensers in its public restrooms cost the Chapel Hill Public Library $2,245 — which was paid for through funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. With its purchase, the library got a one-year supply of tampons and pads, and will stock the machines with funds from its own budget in the coming years.

 

Photo via the Town of Chapel Hill.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our biweekly newsletter.

 

Related Stories
‹
Chapel Hill Public Library Expanding Programs Through Grants
The Chapel Hill Public Library has recently received several grants that will be put toward two new projects. According to executive director of the library Susan Brown, the first will focus on developing and producing a community-driven podcast focusing on the history of Chapel Hill. “It’s about a $45,000 grant for equipment, skill-building, production for […]
Arts in Uncertain Times - Dec. 12, 2025
The Hill's Andrew Stuckey speaks with North Carolina Poet Laureate Jakie Shelton Green, Carrboro Town Council Member Fred Joiner, and Executive Director of Orange County Arts Katie Murray on Friday, December 12. They discuss the challenges facing the arts community both generally and locally. They also discuss the role of arts in times of political division. They discuss the economic, social, and personal impact of having art in non-traditional spaces. They look ahead to 2026, and more.
Orange County Arts Community Set for Uproar Festival Despite Recent Flood Damage
Orange County's Uproar Festival of Public Art returns on Aug. 1 – and it comes as the arts community recovers from catastrophic flooding.
'We Need Help': Orange County Flood Victims Beginning to Pick Up the Pieces
Orange County residents whose homes were flooded during Sunday's storm shared their emotions and what help they need in the aftermath.
Uproar Festival of Public Art to Return to Orange County in August
The Uproar Festival of Public Art returns this August to showcase large-scale, bold works of art outdoors in Orange County.
Thanksgiving Holiday to Affect Local Government Services in Orange County
Thanksgiving will fall on Thursday, Nov. 28 this year, and the holiday will affect several local government services around the Orange County community. Here’s a rundown of what residents can expect: Town of Chapel Hill Thursday, Nov. 28 and Friday, Nov. 29 are both town holidays. Residential trash collection will not be affected. However, there […]
Chapel Hill Public Library Names Atlas Logan as New Director
The Town of Chapel Hill has selected Atlas Logan as the next director of the Chapel Hill Public Library and Chapel Hill Community Arts & Culture following a nationwide search. Logan’s tenure begins on April 29. “Working within the library allows me to spend my life in service to others by helping community members in […]
Easter Weekend to Affect Local Government Services
The observation of Good Friday on March 29 will alter several government services around Orange County. Here’s what residents can expect: Town of Chapel Hill Good Friday is an official town holiday. Residential trash collection will not be affected, but collection of yard trimmings, curbside recycling and commercial trash will not occur on Friday. Recycling […]
Local Government Closures for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (2024)
The observation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 15 will affect several local government services around the community. Here’s what residents can expect: Town of Chapel Hill Residential trash will not be collected. Monday’s routes will be serviced on Wednesday, January 17. Curbside recycling will also not be collected on Monday, with […]
Chapel Hill Library Now Offers Free Period Products to All Patrons
The Chapel Hill Public Library is known for the variety of free services it offers to community members. This week, it unveiled a new one to those who visit its restrooms: free menstrual products. The library unveiled new dispensers for tampons and pads on Tuesday, which are in each of the building’s restrooms and do […]
›