NEW LIBRARY HOURS

Due to budget cuts, the Library is slightly reducing its hours. Each week, we will be open five mornings (including Saturday) and three evenings.

Beginning September 1 the Library will be open:

· Monday from 9 am to 5 pm

· Tuesday from 9 am to 8 pm

· Wednesday from 12 pm to 8 pm

· Thursday from 9 am to 8 pm

· Friday from 9 am to 5 pm

As of September 17 the Library will also be open:

· Saturday from 9 am to noon

We look forward to continuing to be “The Heart of Our Town” for our patrons and community.

Young Artists Create New Library Cards

The Caldwell Library had its first contest to design new library children’s cards. The winners were Mary Sateary’s drawing of the library surrounded by hearts and Aidan LaChac’s drawing of the library surrounded by the town

“We knew we had excellent readers, but we didn’t know we had such truly outstanding artists,” says Interim Director Janet Torsney. “The drawings were so imaginative and really showed what the Library means to Caldwell. “

Mary and Aidan’s drawings will be featured on the Caldwell Library’s new children’s library card. When the cards are printed in September, all the artists will be invited to a party to celebrate kids and reading…and to get their new cards.

Other drawings featured everything from Clifford the big red dog, incredibly detailed drawings of the library, lots of hearts and books, a bookworm and really inspirational messages about reading.

The runners up were Marryn Bennett, Gabby Canonaco, Isabella Canoaco, Alexis Clayton, Taylor Elizaeth Clayton, Liam Corliss, Mackenzie Coutrtight, Matthew Courtright, Brendan Haas, Natasha LaChac, Tiffany Palacios, Allana Pomponio, Sophia Ricci, Isabella Xu, Vincent Xu and Susan Zhang. Their work will be on display in the Children’s Room from July 15 through August 3.

FUN FOR FAMILIES ALL WEEK LONG!

• On Wednesday at 6:30 learn all about the wonderful world of tea. We'll find out how tea is grown and sample teas from South Africa, Japan, China and Sri Lanka.

• On Thursday at 2:30 our friends from the Essex County Environmental Center will tell us all about fruits, vegetables and beyond.

Both programs are free and no registration is required.

And don't forget to sign up for summer reading here. Once you sign up, you can tell us what you're reading and what you thought of the books online. Don't forget to come into the Library, too. We have games and prizes for you!

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.