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.

Expanding Service

For a long time we have provided home delivery of materials to people who are unable to come to the Library and have no family member or friend who can help. In the beginning we used a small but willing core of volunteers. Then we began to use our bookmobile staff. Requests have grown to the point that our staff is unable to cover all the home deliveries. We've begun to use a new group of volunteers. The volunteer is matched one-on-one with a homebound person. Together they set a time for the visit, and discuss the materials for the volunteer to bring. For as little as one hour a month, a volunteer brings a welcome diversion and a new wealth of material to a shut-in person. Here's a feel good opportunity with the added benefit of sharing the love of reading with another person.

Moving Along

The winter weather has been most kind to our construction project. The floors on both the north and south sides have been successfully poured. The steel for the south side will arrive next week. When completed, the true skeleton of the youth services expansion will emerge. North side steel is a few weeks behind. And so on it goes.

Just Rain

As we began the construction process, we hoped we could get the utilities in the ground before the snows came. And so far we have been fortunate in that regard.
But the rain is another matter! After the Contractor painstakingly compacted the soil on the north side of the building, the rains came. They've pumped out the largest collection areas twice! Mud has become a constant companion; mud on our cars, mud on our shoes, mud...
Not that we're complaining. At least it's not snow.

Your Comments

I value your thoughtful comments. Comments are moderated, and may be edited for clarity. This blog is intended as a communication tool and off-topic comments may not appear. Thank you for your udnerstanding.

The Trees

Perhaps the most painful change the Library staff has felt so far in the expansion process is the loss of the trees. It might have been less traumatic if the trees had already lost their fall glory. But the leaf change was late this year, and well into November colors were vibrant. We mourned as the trees were removed, all too large to replant elsewhere. The oldest trees, those in the area we've cleared for additional parking, were at the end of their natural life. Many of them were already dying. However, they had to go now so we could clear the land.
We'll plant new trees, young and limber. We have been planning for that from the beginning. But for now, we mourn the loss.

And So It Begins...

Inside the fence surrounding the Library on three sides, earthmoving equipment has been busy moving dirt and delineating the outline of the future expansion areas. With steel delivery expected in January, footings will be set and concrete poured during the months of November and December. Library visitors are able to look out the windows and observe the progress.

Because parking has had to be reduced during this time, Library programming will be geared to smaller audiences. Programs with significant attendance will resume after construction is completed.

We do not anticipate closing, but have been notified that there may be an occasional day when water lines need to be rerouted or power lines moved, and the Library will have to close for a day. We will give our users as much advanced notice as we can.

No one has stolen the Nalitt playground! We’ve moved it to the other side of the parking lot. And the Contributors Courtyard bricks have been moved off-site and stored in a safe location.

We invite you to stop by and enjoy our progress.

Ground Breaking Day

As we break ground for the expansion of our Library, I find myself reflecting on what value we add to our community.

On any particular day, a visitor to our library
may ponder public policy and current issues,
discuss a variety of book topics,
listen to a lecture on art, music or literature,
view a film,
learn computer skills,
bring a child to Storytime, a craft program or to be tutored by a volunteer.

If a person cannot visit the library,
we bring the library to them,
with our Bookmobile or homebound delivery.

Trained professional librarians help residents
use the discovery tools and materials
on every subject,
from all perspectives,
in a full range of formats
that enrich their lives
and contribute to an information-smart community.

Let the Bidding Begin

The long awaited moment is here. The bid documents for the Library expansion are completed. Advertisements inviting bids have been placed in the Home News and the Star Ledger. Deadline for receipt of bids is September 12, 2007 at 11 AM. So, we have forward movement on our project.

We expect to hold a Groundbreaking Ceremony on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at 3 PM.

Let us hope for a mild winter.

Little Children

Today my granddaughter told me that she asked Mommy to go to the Library and she said "yes". The inflection in her voice was as excited as if she was on her way to meet Mickey Mouse. Of course, my daughters grew up surrounded by library talk. But trips to the library were routine visits to Mom's workplace. This little one finds her library a place of wonder and discovery. She couldn't wait to show me the details on the stair railing, the special seating in the Children's Area, and even the place to look up a book on the computer in her San Jose, CA branch library. Whenever we drive by she points out the building from her carseat perch.

It is that world of wonder that brings Monroe youngsters running into the Library everyday. The colors are bright, the furniture is welcoming, and the people they meet are so glad to see them. And this is before we add the layer of stimulating programs for all ages.

My granddaughter, Tillie, is only 3, but she's been given the gift of a lifetime of fulfillment by visits to her library.

Fall Looks Good

Fall is a time of cooler weather, planting spring bulbs, autumn leaves and breaking ground for the Library Expansion. With a mild winter, we could be well on our way to the addition we've been working on for the past several months. The added time has allowed us to fine tune new areas, and work on some access road improvements. As we wait for the major work, we'll be improving our lobby area. With an average of 1000 people passing through daily, it's time for some new paint and other improvements.

An expansion tidbit

April 1st we celebrated the 18th anniversary of opening the library. In an earlier post I expressed hope that we would have a groundbreaking for our expansion around April 1st. We will go to bid very soon, with groundbreaking in June or July. That time of year will certainly offer warmer weather. Our construction documents are over 90% complete.
No matter how many times we roll out the plans, we still find them awesome. There are so many exceptional features in this expansion. One area that has evolved into something greater than we planned is the Fine Arts Gallery. We never expected to be able to incorporate a gallery in our expansion, because so many very pressing needs seemed to take precedent. Then, an architectural feature started going in that direction, and we encouraged it. There is a need for such display space in the community and now we are able to offer that and more.

When You Need a Good Suggestion

It's not rocket science, how we library staff help you find a good read (or listen). Most of us are readers, so we can easily pull some of our favorite titles from our memories. We even post some to our other blog: staff picks. Other times, we're not sure of your likes, so we ask some key questions about what you've liked in the past, what kind of story you prefer. We can then draw upon the reading preferences of our co-workers, since we really do talk books to each other. Or we have tools like Novelist. You can easily access Novelist through our webpage. Novelist is most useful for listing all the works by a particular author, with brief summaries. With some time you can delve deeper into the depths of Novelist and find read-alike lists for authors you have read everything by, or for titles you just loved. Sometimes, you need to provide more information, since often it's not the locale or the plot that you loved, but rather the characters who were developed so finely that they became your friends and you regretted the ending of the story. There are several very good websites where even more suggestions are provided. Even Amazon lists other books customers selected when you look up a particular title. But we're here, and we just love talking with you about books. All you have to do is ask!

The People We Meet

There's something so very valuable about providing library service in a community with one half of the population older adults living in planned retirement communities. Early on in my tenure, I was given an extremely useful piece of advice:for many people here you may be the first person they've talked to today. This was brought home again to me as I read The History of Love by Nicole Krauss. In the book we meet Leo Gursky, a retired locksmith who immigrates to New York after escaping Nazi SS officers in Poland, only to spend his twilight years terrified that no one will notice when he dies. He makes a point of being seen when he's out, like buying a juice even if he's not thirsty, or when he buys something and feels the clerk hasn't noticed him, he'll drop his change and make a small commotion so he'll be remembered. So, too, with our library users. They just need some words in return that say you've noticed them. I need to remember that. I entered this profession because I recognized a field where I could have a positive impact on the lives of the individuals with whom I come in contact. Each day I'm given the opportunity to acknowledge someone, with a simple smile, a book recommendation, a few minutes to listen to a personal story before they go home, perhaps to an empty house. And it's not only the older folks. With so many people working at keyboards remotely, face to face conversation may be a rare commodity in their days as well. We all need a portion of that human contact. When you call our library your call is not answered by an automated system but by a library staff member. We acknowledge the profound importance of personal contact, be it in person or over the phone. We make it personal to say we value you.