During Summer I (May 29-July 2) and Summer II (July 9-August 9), the Library will be open Sunday, 11am-4:45pm; Monday thru Thursday, 7:30am-8:45pm. We will be open 8am-5pm on July 2,3, 5; and August 13-16, 20-23. The Library then begins a weekday schedule of 8:30-4:30 until the beginning of the Fall semester – Tuesday, September 4. (The Library is closed for Labor Day, Monday, September 3.)
Archive for Libraries
2011 Summer Library Hours
During Summer I (May 23-June 27) and Summer II (July 5-August 8), the Library will be open Sunday, 11am-4:45pm; Monday thru Thursday, 7:30am-8:45pm. We will be open 8am-5pm on June 28-30; and August 9-26. We will be closed Memorial Day weekend, May 27-May 30, and the July 4th weekend, July 1-July 4.
2011 State of America’s Libraries
As libraries across the board (special, public, academic) continue to be pummeled by budget reductions and a concomitant decrease in staffing, libraries still provide exemplary service to their diverse communities. To read about the current situation in libraries, along with links to additional reports and news sources, please come examine this American Library Association document. Libraries are considered the second largest target when it comes to funding reductions (only maintenance departments are targeted more frequently), yet patrons continue to highly value the services provided and 93% agree that library services should continue to be free. Please review these articles from the past six months from The Star-Ledger to see how libraries are faring in New Jersey.
Funding Restored for New Jersey Libraries
According to the just-released bill S3000 that details the appropriations for the state budget and is still subject to technical review, it would appear that about $8 million will be restored to the library community in New Jersey.
Some People, Unlike Governor Christie, Love Libraries
Although this is National Library Week, in New Jersey it certainly does not feel like it. What with the governor’s 74% cut in state aid, coupled with the possible reduction of municipal funding for town public libraries, this most basic service faces hard times, even as the library becomes more important in so many communities. This can be seen in The State of America’s Libraries 2010 from the American Library Association. Who loves libraries? How about astronaut Sally Ride, award-winning author Neil Gaiman, and guitarist Keith Richards, who says : “When you are growing up there are two institutional places that affect you most powerfully: the church, which belongs to God, and the public library, which belongs to you. The public library is a great equaliser.”
Another Blow to New Jersey Libraries
As libraries across the state try to cope with Governor’s Christie’s unprecedented budget cuts, public libraries are suffering another blow in the guise of Assembly Bill no.2555 which would remove the required municipal funding for town libraries. As presently constituted, towns give a portion of their property taxes(1/3 mill or approximately $33 for every $100,000 of assessed property value) for the operation of the local library. This bill would leave it to the discretion of the town to determine what “…is deemed necessary for the proper maintenance of a free public library.” We can almost guarantee that if this bill passes, local funding will also diminish, further reducing the free services that so many rely on in these parlous economic times. Please see these reports on how important libraries are for so many: Opportunity for All: How the American Public Benefits from Internet Access at U.S. Libraries and Libraries Connect Communities 3: Public Library Funding and Technology Access Study.
Say Goodbye to Interlibrary Loan
Possibly lost among all the bad news emanating from Trenton is the fact that library services across the state will be devastated. According to Norma Blake, the State Librarian for New Jersey, the 74% decrease in state aid will cripple libraries. Among services targeted would be the interlibrary system within the state. Libraries would have to resort to book rate mail that is far slower than the present system and also costs money for postage that libraries have no funds for. It will mean faculty, staff, and students will have to subsidize the shipping costs or travel to the libraries where the materials are located. In addition, the loss of state aid would mean that this library will need to pick up the costs of two previously subsidized databases - the heavily-used Academic Search Premier and Business Source Premier to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars. Other databases are also threatened. Additional measures call for the State Library to be run by Rutgers University, a partnership unheard of in other states. More can be read from : Library Journal, New Jersey Library Association, NorthJersey.com, and “talking points” from Norma Blake. UPDATE: A very informative article, along with quotes from some library leaders, is found in this Star-Ledger article: Budget Imperils New Jersey Libraries.
How Libraries Are Coping in These Times
The Condition of U.S. Libraries: Trends, 1999-2009 presents a picture of libraries managing increased demand with little financial help. This report from the American Library Association summarizes work in the field involving school, public, and academic libraries. Other reports of interest include Academic Libraries 2008: First Look (NCES); ARL Statistics 2007-08 (Association of Research Libraries); and OCLC Annual Report 2008/2009
