Caldwell Public Library: Welcome to 2013

We hope that all of our friends had a Happy New Year and are looking forward to 2013 as a year of happiness, renewal and growth.

2012 was a difficult year for so many, and the Caldwell Free Public Library had its share of ups and downs. Like our Jersey Strong patrons, we stayed on top of things and persevered with your help.

We started off the year with the news that our state budget had been cut once again, for the 4th year in a row. Our hours were slightly decreased, we didn't buy as many materials, but we still made sure to be there for you, our patrons.

Due to the generosity and community spirit of our residents, we were able to continue our mission. This year saw us expand our Summer Reading Program and we added additional Teen programming. Our monthly Pizza and a Movie Night became a hit, and our Summer Concert Series drew record crowds. We offered lectures, author visits, and hobby classes, and we started a new Brown Bag Book Club. When the hurricane hit our area, we provided warmth, charging stations and internet access, as well as a family movie.

We were touched and grateful when our Mayor, Ann Dassing, joined forces with the Caldwell Public Library Foundation and former Mayor Sue Gartland to present the Mayors' Legacy for Literacy. The Gala raised close to $32,000 which will help provide equipment and programming for our patrons.

We have tried, in our own way, to give back where possible. Our charitable contribution for the year included Food for Fines, where we waived fines if people made a non-perishable donation to the food pantry; Cell Phones for Soldiers, where we collected old cell phones for recycling. The money generated by those recycled phones is used for service members overseas to call home. We joined other NJ Libraries in collecting Books for Kids, where new books are distributed to children in need, and we collected books for Caldwell College's Guatemala Project. We also ended the year by helping to replenish the collections in libraries which were flooded during Hurricane Sandy.

We thank all of you for your continued support and we hope that you'll enjoy the wide array of programs that we will have in place this year. Remember, we are here for you!