Happy Holidays!

I wanted to take this opportunity to wish all of our staff, patrons, and friends a very happy holiday season and a wonderful 2012! 

We look forward to continuing to provide quality materials, programs and services in the new year.  Thank you to all who have supported and visited us in 2011.

Warmest regards,
Kimberly

Third-grader, Nick Dolan, Reports on MAPL

In October, eight-year-old Nick Dolan and his fellow third-graders were asked to do a project on a building in their community.  Nick chose the library!  A library user since he was very small, Nick thought it would be interesting to find out more about us.  Nick and his mom came in one afternoon after school to interview me, and I shared some old newspaper articles containing historical information.  I also answered a bunch of questions that Nick had obviously considered thoughtfully. 

The resulting paper gained Nick an A, as well as some fans here at the library.  If you'd like to read it, you can do so on your next visit -- it is posted on the bulletin board next to the Circulation desk.

A big thanks to Nick for spreading the word about all that we offer here at MAPL!

Congratulations, Laura!

Our own Laura B., head of the Circulation Department, has received the Employee of the Year award from the Libraries of Middlesex.  (MAPL staff members are eligible for the award due to our membership in the Libraries of Middlesex Automation Consortium.)

Anyone who knows Laura, both her fellow staff members and library patrons alike, know how much she deserves this recognition.  Laura is unbelievably hard-working, she has a loyalty and a dedication to the library that is unmatched, and she always goes far above and beyond in every aspect of her work. 

Laura will be honored at an awards reception at the Crossroads Theatre in New Brunswick tomorrow evening, along with the other LMx award recipients.

NJ State Library Visits MAPL

On the morning of Thursday, November 17, 2011, our library hosted the staff members from the New Jersey State Library's Library Development Bureau for an overview of what their jobs entail, and how they can be of service to the libraries of New Jersey.  MAPL staff members, and staff from other libraries from around the state attended this very informative program.

From the left: Natasha Peter, Compliance Officer; Sharon Rawlins, Youth Services Consultant; Jennifer Podolsky, Business Outreach Specialist; David Lisa, Urban Libraries and Adult Services Specialist; Michelle Stricker, Deputy Director, Library Development; Peggy Cadigan, Associate State Librarian; and Tiffany McClary, Director of Marketing and Public Relations.

Local Author to Visit MAPL!

Meet Helen Henderson, local historian and author of Around Matawan and Aberdeen!

Ms. Henderson will be at the Matawan-Aberdeen Public Library on Wednesday, October 26th at 7:30pm to read from and discuss her book, and answer questions from the audience.  A book signing will follow.  Around Matawan and Aberdeen is available for purchase at The Hobby Shop (1077C Hwy 34, Aberdeen) prior to Ms. Henderson's visit, and at the program on 10/26.  A portion of the proceeds will go to the Matawan Historical Society.  Please register for this free event by stopping by the library, or contacting Jill at (732) 583-9100 or jstafford@lmxac.org.  I hope to see you there!

After-Hours Music at the Library

Last Friday, October 14th, I had the pleasure of attending our After-Hours musical program featuring Nelson Riveros as part of a trio of Brazilian jazz artists.  It was a wonderful concert, and it was clear that everyone in attendance thoroughly enjoyed the fun, but relaxing evening. 

Don't miss our next After-Hours program on Friday, November 18th at 7pm when the Ironbound Crooner will be here to serenade you.  Also -- mark your calendars for Friday, December 9th for Festive Flutes at 7pm!

Congratulations to our Nook winner!

During the month of September (Library Card Sign-Up Month), all new MAPL library card registrants were automatically entered into a drawing to win a Nook eReader.  There were 110 contenders, but the lucky card holder pulled from the hat was Maggie Paolillo of Aberdeen! 

Maggie stopped by to pick up her Nook on Sunday and was so pleased to find out that she can download eBooks right from our website (for free!) through ListenNJ using her new library card!  Congratulations, Maggie!!

For more information about ListenNJ, just stop by the Adult Services desk and one of our staff members would be happy to assist you.

MAPL Features Student Artwork

Each year, MAPL has displayed student artwork from the Monmouth County Arts High School and Middle School, but this year, in honor of our new Teen Place, we have created a larger, more prominent display of the work in our balcony area. 

[From their brochure:]
The Arts High School & Middle School program is a special release-time program for gifted and talented teens.  Students interested in joining the program must audition to participate.  It is administered by the Arts & Education Center, which has been operating the program in Middlesex for over 30 years.  The Monmouth County Arts High, which began in January 2004, holds its classes at a central location in Monmouth County. 

Students selected for the program participate in courses in the literary, performing and visual arts taught by distinguished teaching artists.  The courses are taught at an advanced level and provide a rigorous curriculum  for developing artistic skills and creative expression in the art form of the student's choice.

Arts High & Middle School classes are held from January to May, with each student scheduled to attend one day per week for a twelve or fourteen week term.  Students are responsible for making up any school work they might miss as a result of their participation in the program.  Roundtrip transportation is made available from each school to the program site.  In cooperation with sending schools, the program seeks, identifies, and recruits talented students.

There is an audition/portfolio review day in December.  Students must pre-register. 

For an application or more information, visit their website at http://www.artshigh.net/, call 732-566-2787, or e-mail info@artsandedcenter.org.

The display of over 30 pieces of art and photography will be on display in the library through the end of October.  Stop by to check it out!

Two New Tech Features!

One of our brilliant Computer Tech Assistants, Curtis, has been hard at work on two recent assignments that were launched this week. 

First, is a monitor set up at the Circulation desk which runs a powerpoint presentation announcing our upcoming programs, special events, and library announcements.  This monitor is mounted in a central location so that both patrons checking in or out at the desk, and those passing through can see it.  (Thanks to my dad who did the mounting of the monitor!)

Second, is a wonderful new feature on our website to let patrons know about our newest acquisitions.  If you go to our homepage: http://www.matawanaberdeenlibrary.com/, you will see a blue box in the center of the page that says "New Books @ MAPL."  When you click on this box, you are brought to a page that shows you our newest materials including adult fiction, adult nonfiction, children's books, teen books, and audiobooks.  There is a picture of the cover, a brief description, and bibliographic information for each book, as well as the date published.  This is a feature that is not found on most libraries' websites!

Thank you to Curtis for implementing these innovations here at MAPL!

Homework a struggle? We can help!

Has that homework started piling up already?  Keep in mind that your library can help! 

MAPL offers free access to Tutor.com,  a wonderful online tutoring service for students in grades K-12 (and college students and adult learners as well!).  Students with a homework question can sign in with their MAPL library cards and ask for grade-specific and subject-specific help in a live chat with a professional tutor everyday between the hours of 2pm and 10pm. 

If you are a parent, teacher, or care-giver and would like to learn more about this service, we will be providing an introduction to Tutor.com on Tuesday, September 27th, from 6:30-7:30pm here at the library.  To register, please contact Jill at 732-583-9100 or jstafford@lmxac.org.

If you'd like to jump right into Tutor.com, go to our website (http://www.matawanaberdeenlibrary.com/), click on the icon labeled "Electronic Resources" on the left, then scroll to Tutor.com in the list.

Happy Homework!

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month!

Why should you (and everyone you know) get a library card?

• At MAPL alone, there are over 70,000 physical items (books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, MP3s, etc.) available to be borrowed.  Because we belong to the Libraries of Middlesex Automation Consortium, if we don't have what you're looking for, we can borrow the material from one of 27 other libraries.  If none of those libraries have it, we can do a state-wide search!
• From our website, you can download music, audiobooks, and eBooks.  http://www.matawanaberdeenlibrary.com/  You can learn a language, get help writing a resume, connect with an online tutor, research everything from financial ratings to Matawan/Aberdeen history, and access our amazing list of online resources.  http://www.lmxac.org/mata/resources.html
• You can attend our incredible programs for babies, children, 'tweens, teens, or adults!  (Registration AND a library card is required for many of our programs -- space is limited!)

With a valid library card, all of the above are FREE!  So, stop in this month and get a card -- tell your neighbors and your friends, bring your family along!  Here at MAPL, we will be holding raffles for new card holders during the month of September, so on top of all the amazing benefits, you could also win a prize! 

If you are a Matawan or Aberdeen tax payer, all you need is a driver's license or other ID (school ID, utility bill, etc.) and about 5 minutes.  Hope to see you soon!

We're looking for your input!

There is an area of the collection that we are currently evaluating and would like to expand, but we are in need of some assistance: World Languages!

At the moment, we have small collections of Spanish, Russian, and Chinese books, and a few books in other languages (mostly dictionaries and how-to-learn books) here and there.  We have a small, but growing, collection of foreign films, and we have a collection of tapes and CDs to help one learn a language (or to help non-English speakers learn English). 

In the Children's room, we have a good-sized collection of books in Spanish that includes board books and picture books, both fiction and nonfiction.  Also in Children's, we have a collection of books to help kids learn a second language like Spanish, French, Japanese, and many others.

We are going to be adding several Spanish-language magazines to our library's collection.

We offer two Spanish-language databases on our website: Referencia Latina and Salud en Espanol, and several of our other electronic resources can be translated into Spanish (Compton's Encyclopedia for Children, and Tutor.com, for example). 

We also offer an online service called Mango Languages, that allows MAPL cardholders to choose from sixteen different languages (or English as a second language) and learn through online tutorials.  This service is FREE and can be accessed from any computer with a valid MAPL card.  Contact our Adult Services staff for more information!

Back to the original plea for help: We would like to add to our world languages collection -- books, CDs, DVDs -- but we'd like to hear from our patrons about which languages (and which subjects within those languages) most interest you.  It's easy to look at the census data to determine the Matawan-Aberdeen demographic, and we will take that information into account, but it would also be wonderful to hear from you -- our patrons -- and consider your feedback when making purchasing decisions.

So, if you would like to see another language represented, expansion of what we already offer, or if you have comments about the collections already existing here, please take a moment to e-mail me at kpaone@lmxac.org, give me a call at 732-583-9100, or stop by!  Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Staff Appreciation -- A Request

MAPL has been quite the summer destination this year and this can be seen on a daily basis as people of all ages queue up to check out or return books, browse the shelves, use computers, or fill up the downstairs area to attend programs.  At this point, the summer reading programs are starting to wind down (only a week and a half to go!) and I know my staff is probably looking forward to those last couple of weeks of August when things will get a little quieter around here.  Let me tell you, they deserve some quiet. 

The MAPL staff (and our fine teen volunteers!) have been moving full-speed-ahead for many weeks -- first preparing for, then jumping into, the summer reading program.  Every staff member has given their all -- from those planning, setting up, conducting, and cleaning up after programs, to those checking out all of those books, shelving what's returned, and making new library cards -- on top of the usual day-to-day business of the library.  It really is hard work. 

So, here is my request: while I try my best to let the staff at MAPL know that their hard work is appreciated, it is extra special when we hear it from the patrons we serve.  The next time you or your child is thrilled by one of our programs, take the time to let us know.  The next time one of our librarians finds you just the right book, or the information you are seeking, give them the thanks they are due.  We have a suggestion box in the adult services department for your comments, or you can always send me a quick e-mail: kpaone@lmxac.org.  But a simple "Thanks!" to that person who made your day a little better is great, too. 

[To those of you who have come to me recently to compliment our staff members and our library, thank YOU.  You are the inspiration for this blog post -- we so appreciate your input.]

We're past the half-way mark!

It's really hard to believe that this year's summer reading program is half over already, but we celebrated that milestone in style this year with our family fun program last Friday!  Thank you to the more than 200 people who attended, and to everyone who pitched in to make it such a success!

Chrissie, our Youth Services Librarian, organized several fantastic activities throughout the building: crafts in the reference area, tie-dying outside, and caricatures by Gina in the AV area.  The Friends of the Library were busy giving out ice cream and Italian ices in the basement, and our teen volunteers helped out all over the place.  There were also lots of prizes up for grabs!

From my spot at the circulation desk, I could see our patrons as they were coming in the door (and coming and coming) -- it was such a fun event for the kids, but I saw quite a few adults having a good time as well!   Hope you'll join us for Finisher's Day on August 12, from 10am-1pm -- we're hoping to bring Gina back for more caricatures and there will definitely be more prizes!

MAPL: 21st Century Library

I attended a statewide conference yesterday regarding eBooks that was very informative, and quite motivating.  While we are not quite ready to take the plunge into lending eReaders just yet (there is A LOT to consider and policy to be written, etc. before we can proceed with that), we do offer downloads of eBooks and audiobooks from ListenNJ (just visit our website for more details).

Those of you who have smart phones are familiar with QR codes and probably use them regularly to add contacts to your address book, look up products, or find locations.  The library has posted a QR code on our front door and on the information board next to our circulation desk for those smart phone users looking to gain immediate access to our website (and all the amazing information that can be found there).

Freegal Music is finally here!  If you visit our website on Monday, July 18, you'll notice a banner announcing our new service: Freegal Music!
Freegal is a downloadable music service which provides access to the catalog of artists in Sony Music Entertainment.  There are roughly 500,000 songs, from 27,000 different artists, and 50,000 albums.  Over 120 genres of music are covered.  Our cardholders are able to download up to three songs per week for FREE (starting on Monday).  Freegal works with any MP3 device, including the iPod.  Downloads use the MP3 format and are not restricted by digital rights management (DRM) which means the patron retains access to the music which becomes part of their personal collection.   We are SO excited to offer Freegal to our patrons!!!  Freegal is very simple to use, but if you have any questions, please give us a call or stop by the library.

More technology news coming soon, but until then, you can like us on Facebook http://on.fb.me/np9XI3, you can follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/m_apublib, and you can check out all of the electronic resources on our website http://www.lmxac.org/mata/resources.html.

Sometimes the little things mean a lot.

While you may have noticed some of our recent BIG changes (the Teen Place, installed in June, or the new DVD shelving, installed in October), you may have missed some of the smaller things...

We recently installed baby changing stations in both the men's and women's restrooms.  This may not be a big deal to many of you, but if you've ever tried to change the diaper of a squirming, crying toddler without the benefit of a changing table (as, unfortunately, I have!) you know the value of these new additions.   [In both restrooms, the tables can be found inside the bathroom stalls.]

Although we don't have a little sign to advertise it just yet, we have installed a book return slot at the circulation desk.  Now, instead of waiting in line to hand in your materials, you can simply walk to the end of the desk and insert them in the book return.  (If you owe us late fines, we can settle up on your next trip if you're in a hurry!) 

You may have noticed new signs in the parking lot regarding towing.  We are seriously enforcing the rules stated on the signs and it seems that our actual library patrons are not having as much trouble finding a spot! 

On the Adult Services desk, you will find a large, red suggestion box.  We hope that you will use it to express your thoughts about our library -- tell us what we're doing right, and what we're doing wrong.  If you'd like to discuss an issue with me, please feel free to stop by and do so.  I welcome your suggestions and your comments! 

Thank you, Kathleen!

Kathleen Eovino served as the school superintendent's representative on the Library's Board of Trustees for more than 20 years!  She retired from the school district in 2010, after being the librarian in the high school for much of her long career, and we celebrated her final library board meeting on June 8th.  On Monday, I attended a school board meeting where Kathleen was recognized for her service to the school district and to the public library.  On behalf of the library staff, I wanted to also thank Kathleen for her many years on the board.  Although I haven't known her for very long, I certainly appreciate her contributions, and can honestly say that she will be missed.

Taking over Kathleen's spot on the board is Zach Gross, the new high school librarian.  Zach's first meeting will be on July 13th, and I look forward to working with him. 

Teen Place reception redux!

The Friends of the Library hosted a lovely reception (with many delicious treats!) last night to celebrate the new Teen Place.  We had a nice group of teens, Friends, staff, and board members in attendance as well as a reporter and a photographer from Patch.com!  (Hopefully we'll see ourselves there as soon as the Matawan-Aberdeen Patch goes live!)

Thanks to all who attended and to all who made the Teen Place possible.

Today is the last FULL day of spring!

But here at the library, summer is already in full swing.  We celebrated our summer reading kick-off on Saturday with carnival games, ice cream, balloon animals, face painting, and a magician -- it was tons of fun for the whole family!  Thanks so much to Chrissie and Linda for all their hard work in making the day a success, thanks to our teen volunteers who pitched in, and thanks to the other staff members that were here, it was certainly a busy day!  Just over the weekend, we already have 278 children and 114 teens and adults signed up for the summer reading program.  Didn't get a chance to stop by yet?  Don't worry, you can sign up anytime throughout the summer!

This summer, we are partnering with The Hobby Shop (Rt. 34 in Aberdeen) to cross-promote our reading programs.  Books read for the MAPL club count toward The Hobby Shop's club, and vice versa.  Here are the details:

The Hobby Shop Express Summer Reading Program 

Begins Again!

 

Starts Monday, June 20th & Ends Friday, August 12th

Program includes:

• Hobby Shop Express Summer Reading Form
• 20% Hobby Shop Book Dept Discount for up to 10 books
• $10 Summer Reading Gift Certificate for Hobby Shop Book Dept
• Raffles for Books Signed by Authors

Visit their website for more information: http://www.hobbyshopnj.com/

TWO Big Events!

Things have been very busy this past week as we prepare for TWO big events:

First, we will be kicking off the Summer Reading Club tomorrow, Saturday, June 18th, from 10am to 2pm.  There will be games and balloon animals, popcorn and giveaways, and a magic show at 11:30am.  We have programs, prizes, and fun for children, teens, and adults this summer, so the whole family can get involved!  Stop by the library for more details. 

Second, our new TEEN PLACE has been installed and we will be celebrating that fact on Tuesday, June 21st at 6:30pm.  The Friends of the Library will be sponsoring a reception and all are welcome to attend!  (Just a reminder: the library will be open after-hours for the reception, but there will be no circulation services or computer access.)  A special "thank you!" to our Friends group for helping to make the TEEN PLACE possible -- they very generously purchased the furniture and fixtures for the space.

Hope to see you at one or both of these upcoming events!

The new copiers are here!

For some time now, we have been waiting on the delivery of our new copy machines, and I'm happy to say that they have now been installed!  MAPL now offers both black and white copies (still 15 cents a page) and COLOR copies (35 cents a page).  The new machines are faster and more efficient, they will do double-sided copies, reduce, expand, copy two pages of a book at once, and many other great options.  The machine that does both color and b&w (located in the Adult Services department) also has a document feeder that holds up to 50 originals. 

Coming soon, we will be implementing a new printing system where patrons will pre-pay for printing on their library cards (like a debit card) and will have the freedom to print until the pre-paid amount runs out.  Patrons will have the option of printing in color or black and white (at the rates listed above), and will pick up their print jobs at the copy machine instead of having to wait at the front desk.  This new system will making printing easier and more private for patrons, and will alleviate some of the lines at the circulation desk as well.  Look for this to be implemented in the next week or so.

Lastly, since our guest passes will not allow for printing with the new system, we will be instituting a new Internet-only library card for guests.  Non-residents will need to show ID and fill out an application to receive an Internet-only card, but then they will be able to use it each day for 90 minutes, just like our regular patrons.  There will be no borrowing priviledges on the Internet-only cards.  Patrons with an Internet-only card will be able to add money to their cards for printing, debit-style, as well.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns regarding our new machines or the printing options.  We are constantly striving to improve our services to our patrons and the community as a whole -- we appreciate your suggestions and feedback.

The Friends of the Library enjoy book sale success!

The Friends of the Matawan-Aberdeen Public Library held their semi-annual book sale last Saturday, May 14.  Fortunately, the weather held out, the sale was able to go on as planned (in Park Avenue next to our building), and preliminary reports have been very positive!  The Friends certainly had more book donations than they did in the fall, and profits were up as well. 

I want to express my thanks to all those patrons who donated books, those who purchased books, and to all of the Friends who donated their time.   The funds brought in from the Friends book sales go to assist the library with projects and services.  The latest of these projects is the new TEEN PLACE, which will be installed in June.  The Friends are very generously donating the furniture and fixtures for that new area. 

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Friends, you can visit their blog for further information: http://mapl-friends.blogspot.com/.  The Friends meet on the first Monday of each month in the library's meeting room at 7:30pm. 

Just a note: we will not be accepting book donations at this time.  We will resume sometime this summer to start collecting for the Friends' next sale.  : )  

Therapy Dogs update!

Look at me -- two posts in one week!  I just wanted to write a brief note of thanks to the presenters (both two-legged and four-legged) and all of you who attended the Therapy Dogs program last Saturday.    We were fortunate to host Kathy, and her dog, Koda, Kate, and her dog, Magellan, Jean, and her dog, Cloe, and Stuart, and his dog, Peri.  It was an interesting hour and I hope that everyone enjoyed learning about these wonderful volunteers and the good work that they do.

Since the program was such a success, we will certainly be repeating it on a future date.  (Watch my blog and our website for details!)

Here are a few shots from the event:

Literacy Walk update!

Yesterday was the Taking Steps for Literacy walk sponsored by Literacy Programs of New Jersey.  We had a gorgeous day for our three-mile trek.  I wanted to thank our team members and friends who represented MAPL with me: Jill, Craig, Jeanette, Rob, Janice, Maury, and Elias (and Brian, who was sick in bed, but with us in spirit!).  We haven't quite reached our goal, but we will be collecting donations both in the library and on the website (http://www.literacywalk.org/) throughout the month of May.  Help us support this very worthy cause!

Also: a special thanks to the Friends of the Library who provided us with our team tee shirts!  

Dogs at the Library?

No, MAPL has not gone to the dogs, BUT the dogs will be coming to us!  On Saturday, April 30, at 11am, we will be hosting a different kind of program: about therapy dogs.  We are partnering with the Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs organization to bring in several owners (with their dogs) to talk about what it takes to become a therapy dog, what kinds of uses therapy dogs have, and to hear about each individual's own experiences.  There will be time for Q & A and to meet our four-legged guests, as well.  This is an all-ages program, and there is currently still space available -- just stop by or call to register. 

The Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs, Inc. can be found on the internet at http://www.golden-dogs.org/.  They are a non-profit organization and the participants in Saturday's program are all volunteers.  We thank them (in advance) for their time -- and we look forward to seeing you there!

National Library Week PSA AND Literacy Programs of New Jersey!

First, the filming of our National Library Week PSA went very well and, thanks to Curtis Clark, our filmographer/producer/director/editor, the finished product is fantastic!  Thanks to all who participated!  Here's the link to the PSA on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7_MIRlHe9g&feature=youtube_gdata_player.  You can also get to it from our website. 

Second, the MAPL staff has formed a team to participate in the Taking Steps for Literacy Walk, sponsored by Literacy Programs of New Jersey.  The walk will take place at Middlesex County College on Sunday, May 1st and our team has set a goal of $500.  So far, we've raised $200!  With only two weeks left, we ask you to stop by the library with your loose change or visit the walk's website to contribute: http://www.literacywalk.org/.

The mission of Literacy Programs of New Jersey (LPNJ) is to enable adult, native speakers of English, and those whose native language is not English, to acquire the necessary basic skills in reading, speaking, and writing English, thereby empowering them to participate more fully in the daily tasks of family, school, job, and community.

According to a report issued in January 2009 by the National Center for Education  Statistics, New Jersey ties for the sixth-worst illiteracy rate in the nation -- a shocking 17%!

Please help the cause if you can.  The MAPL team will be proudly supporting LPNJ on May 1st and we would like to reach our goal before that date.  Thank you! 

Help Us Celebrate National Library Week!

This year, MAPL is embarking on a special project to celebrate -- we're creating a public service announcement featuring our library patrons and staff that will be posted on YouTube, and will hopefully be shown on the local TV station, as well.  We're asking participants to answer a simple question: "Why is your library important to you?"  Curtis, one of our fabulous Computer Tech Assistants, will be filming on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week (ask a staff member at the Adult Services desk for times and locations) and then on Saturday, April 16, at 1pm we will premiere the PSA in our meeting room.  Everyone is invited to attend, whether you've been filmed or not!

Tomorrow, Tuesday, April 12, is National Library Workers' Day, so feel free to stop by and let the MAPL staff know that they are appreciated!

 

The Woman's Club of Matawan Celebrates 95 years!

This afternoon, I had the pleasure of attending The Woman's Club's 95th anniversary celebration at their lovely clubhouse on Jackson Street. 

Ladies from the Matawan Club and Women's Club representatives from all over the state gathered to listen to the long history of accomplishments that have been achieved since the federation of the local club in 1916.  The club recognized three local organizations, including MAPL, and donated $95 to the library for the purchase of books in honor of their 95 years.  To wrap up the afternoon's festivities, member Ruth Alt, made an informative and animated presentation about the Matawan shark attacks of 1916. 

Some interesting facts that you may not know:

The General Federation of Women's Clubs, founded in 1890, established 75% of the libraries in America!  More recently, they fulfilled the commitment made at the Presidents' Summit for America's Future by donating $12.5 million in books and materials to public and school libraries.

Locally, the Matawan Club founded the PTA, started the Public Health Association, and worked to establish the current library. 

MAPL has worked with the Woman's Club for many years to display their wishing tree in December.  The club's members make ornaments to adorn the tree, then ask for donations of books for the library at the Clinton Street after-school program.  In exchange for a donation, library patrons can take home an ornament.  We hope to continue this tradition for years to come and possibly work with the Club on other projects.

It was truly a treat to be in the company of so many industrious, caring women today.  They are wonderful role models for this community's young people, and it was an honor to be part of their celebration.

For more information about the Woman's Club of Matawan, you can call (732) 290-3169.

Who Do You Think You Are?

I have recently started watching a very interesting show on NBC on Friday nights: Who Do You Think You Are? where Hollywood stars are led (by archivists and genealogists) through their families' histories, and along the way, they uncover big secrets or major twists.  So far, I have seen just two episodes: one that follows Rosie O'Donnell to her ancestors' homeland in Ireland, and one featuring Steve Buscemi's great-grandfather's story during the Civil War. 

What does this have to do with the library?  Plenty!  As more and more people become interested in seeking out their own histories, genealogy resources have become more important.  Here at MAPL, we have several options for those embarking on a search of their own.

For those with families with a history in the Matawan/Aberdeen area, the first stop might be to go to our digitized newspapers, The Matawan Journal (1869-1973) and The Independent (1972-2000).  These papers are available from our library's website (http://www.matawanaberdeenlibrary.com/) and contain obituaries and news stories that may be extremely helpful.  The Independent is fully searchable, and because it was digitized from the actual newspapers using the latest grayscale technology, the information is quite clear and very readable.  The older data in The Matawan Journal was digitized from microfilm, which makes it a little harder to navigate, but it is certainly still a viable resource. 

For those whose families lived (or spent time) outside of the area, I would direct them to two databases we subscribe to through Newsbank: America's Genealogy Bank and America's Obituaries and Death Notices.  The Genealogy Bank notes that they have 300+ years of over 1,000 newspapers and other documents available for searching.  Both of these databases are available from our website with a Matawan-Aberdeen Public Library card (go to http://www.matawanaberdeenlibrary.com/, then click on the AVAILABLE RESOURCES link on the left; the electronic resources are listed in alphabetical order). 

Lastly, as I mentioned in a post a few weeks ago, MAPL also hosts a Genealogy Club.  The group meets on the first Thursday of each month at the library at 7pm.  If you are looking for helpful hints or new strategies to assist you in your search, Barb and Diane, our genealogy gurus, would be happy to share their knowledge.  Registration is requested, please see a staff member at the Adult Services desk for details.

I hope that you have the opportunity to use the resources I listed above.  If you need assistance or have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me: kpaone@lmxac.org.

Are your taxes done yet? Need some help??

The AARP and Matawan-Aberdeen Public Library have teamed up again this year to offer free tax preparation assistance.  The AARP volunteers are here at the library on Mondays and Tuesdays through April 12, from 10am to 4pm.  Appointments can be made at the front desk either in person or by phone [732-583-9100] and there is still time available in the next few weeks.  Call or stop by today!

So far this tax season, our volunteers have completed 150+ returns and they hope to do 150 more before April 12.  We thank them for their hard work and dedication!

Coming Soon: Our New Teen Space!

Anyone who knows me is aware of my affinity for teenagers -- up until six months ago, I worked with teens on a daily basis, and I've been doing so, in one capacity or another, pretty much since I was a teenager myself.  I find teens to be incredibly insightful, interesting individuals and enjoy spending time with them -- especially talking about books. 

So, it is with great pleasure that I announce that MAPL is going to be embarking on a project to create a space for our teens!  The area (yet to be officially named) will reside in a space in the balcony, just outside the elevator and at the top of the stairs.  It will seat 16, in a combination of cafe tables with stools and comfortable chairs with ottomans, and will house all of our teen materials, including magazines, Playaways, graphic novels, and fiction (nonfiction is interfiled with our adult nf, only steps away!). 

The planning phase has been a group effort -- I have been working closely with our head of Youth Services, Chrissie McGovern, and we received fantastic input from a great group of her teen volunteers. 

We have the Friends of the Library to thank for this wonderful new addition to the library -- they have VERY generously agreed to finance the furnishings for the teen area!  We hope to have everything in place in June, and the Friends will be hosting a grand opening reception at that time. 

And adults, don't think I've forgotten about you!  During this balcony transformation, we are also planning a re-arrangement of the area where our CD collection is currently housed.  There will be a nice, new seating area there for you to enjoy.

Volunteers help to make a library work!

It is no secret that here at MAPL, we have a wonderful staff.  I am often reminded by patrons of their friendliness and helpfulness, and I am repeatedly impressed by their creative ideas and work ethic.  It is, however, a bit of a secret that there are many people behind the scenes that volunteer their time to the library, and I think it's time that they are recognized. 

Shirley Hicks has been volunteering at the library for 21 years!  Shirley works quietly, and unseen to most, spending a few hours a week covering new books and making small repairs to damaged older books.  I recently had an opportunity to spend some time with Shirley on a Saturday morning, and thank her in person for what she does.  What amazing dedication!

Our Youth Services department is fortunate to have a fantastic group of teen volunteers who work with our librarians on a multitude of tasks.  Currently, Arvin, Nishant and Gabriel spend their Tuesday afternoons photocopying, cutting out items for craft projects, and pitching in wherever they are needed.  Recently, we put out a call for some teen input into a project we're planning, and were pleased to have a nice turnout (and great feedback!).  Other teens seeking community service hours have done shelf-reading projects, and members of the high school's Key Club have assisted in the set-up of Friends of the Library book sales. 

Speaking of the Friends -- we are so grateful to that group for their support of the library.  The Friends of the Library have purchased furniture and other supplies for the Youth Services department, they have provided tote bags and tee shirts for the summer reading club, and they have supplied our staff with refreshments for our staff development days.  We hope to be working with the Friends on many other future projects.

Many members of the community give of their time to provide programs and services to the library.  Mary and Michele and their other volunteer teachers offer a conversation class to area residents who speak English as a second language.  These ladies have made a real difference in the lives of those who attend the class.  A new addition to our program schedule, the Genealogy Club is run by two local enthusiasts, Barbara and Diane.  Another community member, Belinda, will be moderating a parents' book group in the spring.

On Mondays and Tuesdays through April 12, our AARP tax volunteers will be meeting with patrons to assist them in preparing their tax returns.  This annual service, headed up by Mr. Soni, has been taking place at MAPL for many years.

And last, but not least, of course, is our Board of Trustees.  Some aren't aware of the fact that our Board is made up of volunteers who not only commit their time to monthly meetings, but also serve on committees that meet and work between the regular Board meetings.  The Board serves a vital role in the proper functioning of the library, and being on the Board can be a time-consuming task.

I hope that I haven't missed anyone!  My personal thanks to all of our volunteers for all that you do to help me and my staff better do our jobs and make the library an important part of the communities we serve.  Your work is appreciated, and so are you.

Welcome to my blog!

My name is Kimberly Paone, and it has been my pleasure to serve the communities of Matawan and Aberdeen as the director of the Matawan-Aberdeen Public Library since September, 2010.  Now that I have been here nearly 6 months, I think it's time to start this blog and add some personal notes to our library's web presence.  I will be posting news about library materials, programs, and services, as well as library initiatives from across the region, the state, and the U.S.  I welcome any comments or questions you may have. 

A little about me:  I graduated from Rutgers with my MLS degree in 2000.  Soon after graduation, I became the Teen Services Librarian at the Elizabeth Public Library, where I worked for ten years in positions of increasing responsibility.  Before becoming director at MAPL, I supervised Elizabeth's three branch libraries and their very large teen department. 

My goals for MAPL are very much in line with the mission and vision described in our strategic plan.  The library should continue to provide materials, programs and services that the community enjoys and has come to depend upon, while also implementing new means of distributing information and keeping up with trends in technology, as well.  I want to maintain the hometown feel and friendliness of MAPL, while delivering the materials that our patrons are seeking, in new formats when possible.  Of particular interest to me at the moment are eBooks -- a hot button topic that I'll be revisiting in a future post. 

I currently live in East Brunswick with my husband and two-year-old son. 

If we haven't yet met, I'd be delighted if you'd stop by my office to say "hello" the next time you're in the library.  I look forward to becoming more involved in the community as a representative of the library, so you may see me about town at local events or meetings, as well.