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.