Do you remember where you were July 14, 1974?

The Great Fires, and Firefighters, of Caldwell! Do not miss seeing our exhibit of great photographs of the fires of, and firefighters who serve, Caldwell shared by members and friends of the Caldwell Volunteer Fire Department ("CVFD"), along with many Gene Collerd photographs. Join us for our "debut" between noon and 5 as the Library will be open during the Rotary/Kiwanis Street Fair on Sunday, October 3, 2010. A reception for our great Fire Department will be held here on Friday, October 22, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. Please join us Sunday, as well as on the 22nd - and tell all your friends to check out the exhibit which will be on display in The Gene & Kathryn Collerd Local History Resource Room from Sunday, October 3 to Saturday, October 30, 2010.

September is -- SIGN UP FOR A LIBRARY CARD MONTH!

Summer is over - but the library is STILL open, and September is "Sign Up for a Library Card Month" - so why not double check your card is up-to-date, and at the same time join us, at the Caldwell Public Library, in the Gene and Kathryn Collerd Local History Resource Room, for a fascinating program tomorrow evening - Wednesday, September 15th, at 6:30 p.m. Local author, John Lanza, will be speaking about his book "Shot Down Over Italy." This event is free and open to all, and, if you missed the article in The Progress about John, his uncle, and writing of this inspirational book, read it right now by clicking HERE!

A decade of partnering with Camp Caldwell!

As I look at the summer reading program pictures, and say a sad farewell to our INVALUABLE Summer Library Assistant/Volunteer Coordinator, Susan Reeve - who disguises herself as a SPANISH TEACHER at JCHS from September to June - I still cannot believe this is our 10th reading to and programming with Camp Caldwell! I started here at CPL only a month or two before the Caldwell Community Center opened, and Camp Caldwell was unveiled. In 2001 we read to the campers here at the library, and, even then, Carol Shenuski (JCHS Math Teacher) and Dr. Gerardi (C/WC Superintendent) volunteered to be guest readers. From 2002 to 2006 we, library staffers, along with guest readers* (of all ages, and from all parts of our lives and communities), read to campers at the Community Center, either in the "tree house" or inside the Center. Then, from 2007 to the present, the campers returned to the library. Picking out books to read, finding (sometimes BEGGING) guest readers, became a major part of Susan Reeve's summer job description, and has she ever shone! So, Susan, deepest gratitude from literally hundreds of children whose lives you have touched over the past four years. And, thank you too, a million times over, to all the educators and administrators, from ALL the schools (including, but not limited to, Riverdale Public Schools, Caldwell College, Seton Hall Prep, all schools in the C/WC Public School System, and, as shown in this picture.....a teacher who taught at Jefferson School in the '60s - my Aunt Janet!) who volunteered to be readers. There are so many to thank, and we tried to say it in person when you were here, but please know how very much we appreciate your generous sharing of yourselves. - Karen (Kleppe Lembo)

* I feel as if I have the Romper Room mirror -- those of you of a certain age will understand this idea -- when I say thank you to the likes of: Barry Bachenheimer, Nancy Caplan, current and retired CPD officers and chiefs, Dr. Blattner, Scott Keena, Jim Brown, Dr. Barnes, Claudia Dargento, Sue Ploch, Scott Chamberlain, Cindy Kellenberger and countless teens who then were rewarded with volunteer hours!

Summer Reading Program Finale!

Wow oh WOW did we have a BLAST as well as a SPLASH last night! Our Summer Reading Program end as it began, in the pool at the Caldwell Community Center and was then followed by our basket raffle (Congrats to all!), as well as the wild sharing of all sorts of great books, prizes and of course cool reading certificates signed by Mrs. Khost and Mrs. Lembo. (Collector's items, to be sure!) We ended the evening on a fabulously high and sweet note - with italian ices from Gelotti. Thank you a million times over to our dear friends at Gelotti - now - don't you need a gelato or an ice cream?!?!

Don't forget: "Make a Splash" and "Make Difference"

Tomorrow, Tuesday, August 10th doesn't mean "end of fun" but it DOES mean the finale to our Summer Reading Program here at Caldwell Public Library.

We will end as we began, by MAKING A SPLASH at the pool at The Caldwell Community Center! Come in your bathing suits at 6:30 p.m. ready to "Make a Splash" and consider bringing some food for our Food Pantry or Beanie Babies for "Project Gratitude" to "Make a Difference."

After our swim we will be handing out certificates and drawing for the baskets. FUN!

STARS WARS CANTINA ON THE GREEN

On Wednesday, July 21, The Force was with us!

Darth Vader, Boba Fett, a Jedi knight and many more Star Wars characters marched out of none other than the Caldwell Public Library to meet our patrons on the Green. In addition to posing for pictures and sharing high fives, the 15 members of NJ's Rebel Legion (good guys) and 501st Legion (bad guys) signed autographs and gave away activity books and tattoos to the kids. Our fearless (and crazy) director didn't come as Princess Leia but DID bake Star Wars cookies*!

Thanks to Mrs. Khost for arranging this event, which everyone agreed was simply AWESOME!

(*Check out Williams-Sonoma for the FABULOUS Star Wars cookie cutters - which we learned about thanks to the Star Ledger picture and article earlier this summer!)

SHOP for a GREAT cause -- YOUR LIBRARY!

BARNES AND NOBLE BOOKFAIR FOR THE CALDWELL LIBRARY

· When: Friday, July 23, 2010
· Where: The Barnes and Noble on Route 3 in Clifton
· What: Bookfair for the Caldwell Public Library. A percentage of all sales using our Bookfair voucher will go to the Library.
· Why: Support your library “The Heart of Our Town”
· How: Go to Barnes and Noble with the voucher (click HERE!). Choose the books and other items you want to buy. Present the voucher at check out. A portion of your purchases will be donated to the Library.

Can’t make it to the store that day? No worries as the Bookfair continues online!

· When: Friday, July 23 through Wednesday, July 28
· How: Shop online at www.bn.com/bookfairs and enter our Bookfair ID -- 10246643-- at checkout. A portion of the sale will go to the Library.
· Where: Online sales can be from anywhere so encourage friends and family to support your Library.