Saloma Furlong Reports on Her Visit

"On Thursday, I did two talks -- one at Marion Manor for a book club. Frances Larkey, the events coordinator at the Caldwell Public Library, set up this talk. She thought we would have about 12 people show up, but more like 36 showed up for the talk. Then Frances took us out for a very enjoyable meal and chat before my talk at the Caldwell Public Library. Between 35 and 40 people showed up for that talk. I had a very pleasant surprise while setting up for the talk. I normally put on a CD of Amish church singing, as people are arriving. In this case, a woman was reading the New York Times, and suddenly she put down her paper and said, "Can you tell me what that music is?" I told her what it was, and she said it sounded just like the kind of singing that she grew up with at a Primitive Baptist Church, which I found fascinating. I invited her to give the audience a sampling of the singing she described, and she graciously did so -- and wow, what a powerful voice! Her name is Johnnie Jones Tucker, and she is a Gospel Singer/Songwriter/Writer/Poet. It was a pleasure to meet her.

"Frances Larkey is another example of a librarian who is not only congenial, but she also went above and beyond. She was a gracious and enthusiastic host, who was fun and easy to talk with. And she had obviously done a super job of promoting the event, judging by the enthusiasm of the comments and questions and the number of people who showed up."

New Library Tax Line, But No New Taxes!

Although the Library will be making its first appearance on the latest tax bills, I want to make sure Caldwell residents know this is not a new or additional tax. In fact, the rate for minimum library funding has not changed since it was set in 1844.

“This law simply changes the way your tax bill looks,” says Library Board Chair Bernard McGovern. “It does not increase taxes.” Until this year, minimum library appropriations were part of the municipal tax rate. In March, a new law created a dedicated line item for libraries. Caldwell’s minimum funding requirement of “1/3 mill”, which means at least 33 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, has been in effect since the late 19^th century.

The new law provides transparency. “Now residents throughout the state can see the minimum library funding on their property tax bills,” explains McGovern. While this does reduce the municipal tax levy and rate (by breaking out the library line item separately), it does not increase taxes or change existing financial, operational, personnel, or other relationships between the town of Caldwell and the Library.

For the average Caldwell taxpayer, the new tax line will be about $160 per household. “Your library card opens up a world of services -- books, databases, programs, computers, videos and music -- for you and your family,” continues McGovern. “Just taking out a few books or videos each year will cover your library tax.” The Library website -- http://www.caldwellpl.org/ -- includes a Library Value calculator that can help you make sure you are getting your money’s worth.

Your Library is More than Books

The Caldwell Library is the heart of our town. It's the first place where people new to Caldwell come and it's the place where generations of Caldwell families area have learned to read, to work together and to appreciate our wonderful community.

Since it opened in 1917, the Caldwell Library has had an impact that far exceeds its size. The mission of the Caldwell Public Library is “to provide our diverse community with a wide array of literary, cultural, historical, educational and social resources through personal service and innovative programs utilizing a range of learning technologies in a welcoming environment."

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• New Jersey Library Association website: http://njla.org/statements/municipaltax_faq.pdf
• Library Use Value Calculator: http://ldb.njstatelib.org/libvaluecalc
• Local Finance Notice, NJ Division of Local Government Services http://www.state.nj.us/dca/lgs/lfns/11lfns/2011-14.doc

Caldwell Library Receives Four Awards

The NJ Library Association is presenting four awards to the Caldwell Library at its Annual Conference in Long Branch, NJ.

· Bill Downey, Bruce White and Boy Scout Troops 6 and 9 will receive the Library Champion Award for their participation in The Big Read.

· Susan Panzano will receive the Library Service Award for her work creating the Caldwell Public Library Foundation.

· Linda Stewart will receive two Public Relations Awards: One for the poster she created to announce the Longfellow Big Read and the other for last year’s Summer Reading brochure.

We are so proud and grateful. It’s the talent and dedication of people like Bill, Bruce, Sue, Linda and the Scouts who make the Caldwell Public Library “The Heart of Our Town”!

CONGRATULATIONS BILL, BRUCE, SUE, LINDA AND BOY SCOUT TROOPS 6 AND 9!

Where will YOU be on Monday, February 7th at 10:30 a.m.?

We hope you might be here -- at the Caldwell Public Library -- to meet, and thank, New Jersey State Librarian Norma Blake along with Peggy Cadigan, Associate State Librarian for Innovation & Outreach Strategies for the New Jersey State Library, when they visit our small but mighty Carnegie Library to see "What's New" at the Library thanks to the SWAT Team!

If you have been here at 268 Bloomfield Avenue recently you have seen the fruits of our labor over 2010 -- made possible thanks to being a recipient of a "SWAT Team Renovation Grant" - an initiative of the New Jersey State Library. Our Team CPL has worked hard over many months, but has been lucky enough to have the additional support of the Women's Club of Caldwell.

In addition, friends such as Bruce White...Linda Stewart....Linda's dad (and Joe, Emilie and Christina's grandfather), Dick Picini....Dean Squires....Anthony Casale, Mario Bifalco and other friends from the Department of Public Works....Rich Hunt....Luis Hernandez....the many fine folks at Library Interiors....our Library Board members...our Caldwell Public Library Foundation members...all have contributed to the changes you see upstairs at the Caldwell Public Library.

Please take this opportuntity to thank Norma, to meet Peggy, and to THANK the State Library for sharing such a gift with us, all of us served by the Caldwell Public Library.

(And, you know us -- what is a meet and greet without coffee and?! Hope to see you Monday!)well!)

p.s. Karen's niece, Julie, sent her FLAT STANLEY -- so -- be prepared all to have your picture taken with Stanley on Monday! A special extension was given to Monday JUST so Stanley could join us for this event.

Read, Review and REVEL in the Fun! (Read on for details!)

Read + Review = Chance for 4 tickets to see MONSTER JAM, THE HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS, BARNUM AND BAILEY CIRCUS or STARS ON ICE at the Izod Center over the next 3 months!

In collaboration with the New Jersey State Library, the Caldwell Public Library is sponsoring a contest to ENCOURAGE READING! Entry forms can be picked up at the Library, or, by downloading the entry form off of our website. For every book you read, you may enter a raffle for four tickets to see Monster Jam, The Harlem Globetrotters, Barnum and Bailey Circus or Stars on Ice.

Click HERE for the flyer on the entire contest.

Monster Jam entries are due in the library by 8 p.m. on Jan. 25th, Harlem Globetrotters entries are due by 8 p.m. on Feb. 8th, Circus entries are due by 8 p.m. on Feb. 22nd and Stars on Ice entries are due by 8 p.m. on March 22nd. Winners will be drawn on Jan. 26th, Feb. 9th, Feb. 23d and March 23d, respectively, and winner need NOT be present to win. We will call the winners to let them know they won, and, to be fair, you are only eligible to win one of the four contests. Start reading now - and be sure to put your review and entry form into the "ballot box" in the Children's Area by Mrs. Khost's desk!

(To learn more about the NJ State Library Read Like a Champion program, go to njlibrarychampions.org. To learn more about the events at the IZOD Center, go to izodcenter.com.)

P.S. for more info on "Monster Jam" click HERE for the article this cool picture came from. Thanks North Jersey Media for all the cool facts!

CELEBRATE! And we SURE did!

The feeling of joy... and happiness... and goodness ... and community... and friendship .... along with the spirit of collaboration and kindness..... all of these things and more were evident @ 268 Bloomfield Avenue (a/k/a The Caldwell Public Library) on Friday, December 17, 2010. And, since a picture tells a thousand words they say: here are two of our favorites. Thank you Marsha Robbins or Pattie Mathieson for clicking what appears to be me leading the group in song ("For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" in honor of Gene Collerd as well as Stephen Cristiano maybe?). You can see I have NO ego if I am including such a goofy picture of myself. The reason I like it is b/c Gene and Elizabeth Collerd are featured as well as our sainted Consulting Archivist for the past 7 years or so, Tony Cucchiara. (And, former Mayor Gartland spent WAYYYYY too many years at Library Board meetings over the past 24 years so it is fair that she is featured in a flattering light as well. Four people who deserve thanks looking good in a picture vs. one who looks goofy -- well -- the odds are against me!)

Thank you as well, Warren Westura, from Caldwell's PATCH for the picture of those gathered in The Gene and Kathryn Collerd Local History Resource Room -- to listen to me lead the rest in song! (Just kidding!) Warren - I believe this picture is my absolute favorite! For - the showing of teens and pre-teens - and a profusion of SCOUTS! - all looking and sounding INTERESTED in our community's history, and the photographs of Caldwell "Then" and "Now." That is a tribute to their teachers, their parents and grandparents, and many in our community. (Thanks as well to Jessica and Tatiana Mickley and Janet Markman for their coverage of December 17th o/b/o The Progress and the Jersey Tomato Press.)

The Library Board of Trustees, the Caldwell Public Library Foundation, and my colleagues and I are working valiantly to bring all these treasures to you ASAP -- so keep a watch on our website and blog. And continue to support our library - YOUR Library - which by all evidence seen on Friday, December 17th really seems to be: "The Heart of Our Town." Happy 2011 all!

~Karen

LIBRARY CLOSED DUE TO BLIZZARD!

Yes, pictures tell a thousand words, but, in this case the words are what is most important: STAY HOME TODAY if you can! The Library is CLOSED on Monday, December 27, 2010 due to our blizzard. (If you don't know what I am talking about, where exactly are you vacationing right now?)
Be safe, be warm, and we will be back at 268 to serve, entertain, educate and more -- on Tuesday, December 28th. I SHOULD be shoveled out by then.....!