Defining Libraries

When we were working on a statement to accompany the Library’s name and logo for our Donor Wall, we did the Librarian thing and searched all sorts of quotations on the subject of books and libraries. Some were too long, some were too short, and some just weren’t what we were looking for (sounds a little like the “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” story?).
We settled on one, governed by the amount of space allocated.
In the process, we undertook an intellectual exercise about what a library is. Recently, reading Reinventing Knowledge: From Alexandria to the Internet, by Ian F. McNeely, I found our exercise explained far more intellectually than I could. McNeely says there are at least three ways to tell the story of the library:
First, as an institutional approach—the story of how libraries were founded and funded; emergence of printing; collecting and storing.
Second, as an intellectual approach—the rationale for collecting books; organizing and managing the collection.
Third, as a political approach—the attempt to bring the civilization of an empire to its expanding populations.
As the content of libraries changed from papyrus, to printed books, to the various media of now and the future, libraries continue to serve their community for all of the above reasons.

Community

A recent visit to our Library from a consultant from another state brought back to mind something I said at the Library Dedication of the expanded space a little over four months ago. As I showed the consultant all the new areas in our Library I spoke of the layers of community that made all this possible. First, we are members of a library community where we exchange ideas, solutions and innovations that make our service level even better. Next, we are members of a local community with a Township Administration that encourages and appreciates the service we offer, and listens to our ideas. Last, we are members of the community of Monroe Township, a community eager for all the services we have to offer and welcoming to the new ways we develop of doing them even better.

The inspiration we’ve drawn from all those layers enabled us to offer the best.

Sundays at the Library

How fortunate we are during these tough economic times to have completed this welcoming expansion to our Library and to be able now to remain open on Sundays through the summer months. We are reworking our signs to reflect our Sunday hours year round. Thanks to an enlightened Township Governing Board who gave us the encouragement and support to make these added Sunday hours continue year round. When looking for an air conditioned place to go with the family, where there is never an admission charge, people can now consider the Library for an enjoyable Sunday afternoon.

Nearing the Goal

On January 31, 2009, we will dedicate the Monroe Township Library expansion. I have been wrestling with what I want to say here, about this expansion; obviously, something I have not already said in previous postings.

As we assembled shelving, and moved our materials here and there, until their ultimate location was completed, I suspect I personally handled just about every book, every piece of media, and every bookend at least once. To the outside observer, what does it take? So, you move things. As those of us who toiled deliberately for the past several weeks know, it takes coordination, commitment, vision and everyday muscle.

So, how do I feel as I look around as we approach the final stretch? Humble.

Humble to have been given the gift of starting this library with a card table and a folding chair on the lower level of the Municipal Building only twenty years ago; to have experienced such an amazing outpouring of encouragement. This Library is a gift to the people with whom I’ve interacted over these several years. It is the product of personal and professional growth, coupled with opportunity and encouragement from a local administration with vision and commitment.

That early dream falls short of what we will present to the community this month. We anticipate the smiles and will accept the compliments. It is a beautiful, functional and welcoming facility. And after we bask in the light of completion, we will continue to fine tune this space; adjusting services, collection, and facility as we see how we can make our initial offering even better. It’s a process and it is from the process that we derive the greatest satisfaction.

It's Still About Books

Last Friday, Leah Wagner and I gave dictionaries to third graders under a Rotary initiative.
Many years we've been sitting at social services in New Brunswick giving out books to children through the Books to Keep project. The good feeling you get when a child lights up in response to a book that is theirs to keep never gets old.
We often hear, as we go about the business of our profession, that books are a thing of the past. Who needs books when we have the Internet? For one, not every child has access to the Internet at home. For two, there is a mystique about the printed word on a page. There is a connectedness as a child replicates reading a book, even before the words make sense, that an adult has read to them time and time again. Why else do parents tote ten picture books home every week, just to have something new to read. And how wonderful it is to see children selecting books from countless titles to choose from. And for three, the Internet cannot substitute for the feelings this activity evokes.
It's not just children who value their books. We know adults who would rather own a book than borrow it from the library. We know others who just want a good read, and are happier to return the book when done. For every book discussion group we form, there is a need for another. Today, we're not just in the book business, but it is still the major component of what we do. We're an organization of readers, who are only too happy to help connect our public with just the right good read. The return we get is that feeling of sharing that joy that comes with the written word.

NextReads

Sometimes you have read through every book written by your favorite authors and are eager to find something new. What could be better than a newsletter e-mailed to you on a regular basis listing new books in your favorite reading area, as well as some older favorites you may have missed? These newsletters link directly into the Library’s on-line catalog, so subscribers may place a hold or request a title immediately. Newsletter topics include Biography, Fantasy, Mystery, Historical Fiction, Nature, Audiobooks and more.

Interested? Visit the Library’s web site at www.monroetwplibrary.org, click on Booklovers and follow the directions to subscribe.

Progress on Expansion

The steel structure is complete. With the “bones” of the building in place, it is much clearer how this expansion will look. Looking at an architectural drawing is not as awe inspiring as looking at the three dimensional outline of the additional space.

The Youth Services area is almost fully enclosed. Inside areas are obvious now, and the new program room rises dramatically on the left as you face the building.
Insulation is going on, to be followed by brick, which will match the brick on the existing building. We expect inside walls soon. All of this work can be seen by looking out the windows of the current Youth Service space.

On the Adult side, the steel is almost completed. Looking at the outline from the parking lot, you can see the circular roof of the Fine Arts Gallery. With some effort, peering through the construction fence, the drive-thru window overhang can be seen.

It is exciting for the Library staff to be on-sire as the work progresses. We are able to monitor the progress on a daily basis.