National Library Week April 8 - 14, 2012

During the second week of April, schools, campuses and communities across the country celebrate National Library Week, a time to remind the public about the contributions libraries, librarians and library workers make to their communities every day.

Libraries have historically served as our nation’s great equalizers of knowledge, providing free access to information for all people. Libraries help level the playing field by making both print and digital information affordable, available and accessible to all people. This includes job seeking resources, materials in a variety of print and electronic formats, cultural heritage and genealogical collections, English as second language and citizenship classes and many other resourceful and creative programs.

Today diversity applies to more than different races and ethnicities, but varying physical disabilities, sexual orientations, ages, languages and social classes. Libraries and librarians throughout the country are working to design their collections and services to meet the diverse needs and interests of their communities.

Here are just a few of the things you can do this week at the Caldwell Public Library:

For All:

Food for Fines - Bring in a non-perishable food item (canned or boxed) for the Caldwell Food Pantry and we'll waive your fines. Please bring in one item per overdue book, and check the expiration dates! No expired food will be accepted. Food for Fines will be accepted from April 9 - 14.

For Children:

Tuesday, April 10: American Girl Party, 2PM in the Children's Room. Call for reservations 973-226-1636

Wednesday, April 11: Lego Club, 6:45PM, in the Children's Room.

Thursday, April 12: The Muppet Movie Matinee, 2:00PM, in the Children's Room.

Friday, April 13: Drop-in Craft. Don't let Friday the 13th get you down! Drop in between 10 and 4 and make one of our lucky crafts.

Saturday, April 14: Join Miss Nicole for a great Springtime Craft! 10:00 am - 11:30 am.

For Adults:

Wednesday, April 11: Memoir Writing After a Loss, 6:30PM. Meet the Authors Arlene McCarren and Nancy Taiani, who have each written memoirs following painful losses and have found the writing process itself to be healing. Join them as they read excerpts from their books and discuss their writing.

Art Displays:

During the month of April we'll be highlighting some great artwork! Colonial Dioramas by the Students of Lincoln School are on display in our display cases, and on our walls is the Art of Donna Ellis.

National Library Week is the perfect time to remember that the place you, your family and everyone you know belong is @ your library. We hope you'll visit the Caldwell Public Library and join us as we celebrate!

Art in Education Grant Winners on Display

Libraries and schools go hand-in-hand, providing the community with access to creative educational resources. I'm proud to say that we have a great relationship with our area schools, and we're always looking for ways to assist them in their educational endeavors.

On March 21st we had the honor of hosting students from Washington Elementary School and James Caldwell High School's English and Computer Graphics Classes at a Reception to celebrate their Art in Education Grant. The day began with a morning reception before the library's regular operating hours, where the elementary school students were honored for their contributions, and were treated to a story time featuring the books written by the students. In the evening, the library hosted a reception for the public, where students, their families and teachers, could show the art work to the community. This worthwhile grant produced some top-notch art and literature. Everyone should be proud of these amazing students who were able to collaborate so beautifully on this project.

The Art in Education (AIE) grant involves building upon a mentoring program instituted by Special Education teacher , Robin Keil. Students in Mrs. Keil's 10th grade English class have been mentors to the Washington Elementary students. The grant has given the students of James Caldwell High School's Computer Graphics class an opportunity to help progress this mentorship through a professional illustration experience.

Thanks to the AIE grant, the illustrators as well as the writers had the opportunity to work with professional artist and book creator, Irene Kelly. The results of this collaboration will be on display during in the Caldwell Public Library during the month of March. We look forward to hosting more school-library partnership events in the future. Stop by in April to see Colonial Dioramas created by the students of Lincoln School.



Check out some of the spectacular work created by these students involved in the AIE grant:

A Note to the Residents of Essex Fells

In the past, the Borough of Essex Fells reimbursed the Borough of Caldwell for library use by their residents. We were informed at last night's Caldwell Council Meeting that Essex Fells will no longer pay the usage fee. All Caldwell Library cards held by Essex Fells patrons will expire on April 1, 2012.

While waiting for the Borough of Essex Fells to make their decision, we extended the cards as a courtesy to our Essex Fells patrons. We are saddened that in these times when residents need a library most, cuts are being made.

The Caldwell Public Library, like many libraries in the state, offers free access to the internet, job search tools, access to free programming, and of course the free lending of books, magazines, e-books, DVDs, and other materials.

We hope that Essex Fells will reconsider this decision. In the meantime, a paid family membership to the Caldwell Public Library may be obtained at the circulation desk.

New Website

The Caldwell Public Library is pleased to announce that they have uploaded a new website. The site, designed by Zenith Technologies, was funded by the Caldwell Public Library Foundation.

The new site features links to many of the photographs in the Library's historic collection. Staff members are in the process of learning how to upload and change the website's content.

Come check out the new site at http://www.caldwellpl.org/Welcome/

Halloween at the Caldwell Public Library

Hi there!

When most librarians blog about Halloween at their library, they talk about the kids, the programs and the costumes. For Caldwell's residents, Halloween's usual merriment was supplanted by worries over storm damage. No one expects a heavy snowstorm in October! On Halloween, the Caldwell Public Library became a haven for people who needed to get warm, check their email, charge their cell phone or their laptop, and stay connected to the world at large.

We saw a record number of people enter the library, and it was literally standing room only. Our computers had a waiting list for people who needed access, and we had multiple users on their own wireless devices. One especially helpful staff member ran home to get extra power strips to allow more people access to our electricity.

The Caldwell Public Library is known as the Heart of Our Town, and I believe we proved that our heart is open to everyone.

Our younger patrons did enjoy trick or treating in the library, and we were pleased to see some great costumes! In the afternoon everyone enjoyed a showing of Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein, a great comedic horror classic.

We hope that everyone who found us yesterday will continue to stop in and make use of our Library. Remember, we're here for everyone.

Summer Reading Countdown

Kids participating in our summer reading program have read more than 1,700 books.

But, we know there are a few students who might not have gotten started on their summer reading.

So, as a public service, we picked a few especially good summer reads.

KINDERGARTEN

• Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems describes a wily bird’s efforts to get behind the wheel.
• George and Martha by James Marshall are funny, endearing tales about two great friends.
• How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight by Jane Yolen clears up that mystery.
• The Man Who Walked between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein is the true story of Philippe Petit, who walked between the World Trade Center towers.

FIRST AND SECOND GRADERS

This is a great time for series: Pick out one and, if you like it, read them all! We especially like:

• Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold
• Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel
• Magic School Bus by Joanna Cole
• Poppleton by Cynthia Rylant and
• Time Warp Trio by Jon Scieszka.

THIRD AND FOURTH GRADERS

• Babymouse by Jennifer Holm is a sassy cartoon mouse who is impossible to resist.
• Poppy by Avi is a thrilling tale of a dormouse and her incredible adventures.
• The BFG by Roald Dahl will have you sounding ridunculous in no time
• The Hoboken Chicken Emergency by Daniel Pinkwater gives whole new meaning to the term: madcap adventure.

FIFTH GRADERS

• Satch and Me by Dan Gutman is a baseball card adventure featuring Satchel Paige.
• The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo details the rise and fall and rise of a china rabbit.
• Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen tells the story from two different points of view.
• A Dog’s Life by Ann Martin is the autobiography of Squirrel, a stray dog.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

• Chasing Lincoln’s Killer by James L. Swanson, the story of the 12-day hunt for John Wilkes Booth, reads like fiction but is based on original sources.
• Down the Rabbit Hole by Peter Abrahams is a mystery that revolves around small-town life, community theatre and Alice in Wonderland.
• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is a horrifying, must-read introduction to a crazy, dangerous world.
• The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan is the first book of the fabulous Percy Jackson series.

HIGH SCHOOL

• Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut provides that bit of absurdity needed at the end of summer,
• Life of Pi by Yann Martel tells the tale of an incredible journey that may be more – or less -- real than it seems.
• March by Geraldine Brooks is the father’s side of the Little Women story.
• Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith is a gentle tale of southern Africa.

We have all the summer reading lists and will be glad to help you find these and other selections!

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.