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February 1, 2009

Tough economic times sends more to Central Jersey libraries for services

c-n.com
By RICK MALWITZ • Staff Writer • February 1, 2009

CENTRAL JERSEY —When the doors open at the Plainfield Public Library on Park Avenue people are typically lined up at the door, eager to use the free computers first thing in the morning.

Others come to the library for books and DVDs, for lessons in English and literacy and for tutoring.

Joe Da Rold, who has been the director for 15 years, said the library prides itself as being neutral territory, an oasis open to all comers.

"We're the Switzerland of Plainfield," he said.

While signs of the recession are empty stores and declining sales, business at libraries is booming.

The number of user sessions at the Plainfield library increased from about 34,000 in 2007 to about 43,000 in 2008. The number of books withdrawn increased by 9,000.

In 2007, 172 students signed up for literacy classes. Da Rold said most are honing language skills to make them more marketable. Last year the number swelled to 236.

"Everything's up, across the board," said Cheryl McBride, the director of the North Brunswick Public Library. "More people are coming in, and more items are going out."

"We're seeing more usage of everything," said Susan Kaspin, the program director at the East Public Brunswick Library. "With things tough out there, people are turning to the libraries more and more."

MORE THAN BOOKS: Time was when a library had a sole purposes of lending books, and giving students access to the World Book and other reference. Today libraries offer free computers, DVD rentals, access to fax machines and copiers. Some have added cafes.

While the coffee is not free, nor are fax machines and copiers free, virtually everything else comes without direct cost.

However, because libraries are funded by taxpayers of New Jersey - and every at every level of government officials are looking to cut costs - libraries find themselves in political crosshairs.

In November the League of Municipalities adopted a resolution calling for a change in state law, to allow municipalities to cut their mandated support of local libraries in half.

Currently a municipality is required to fund libraries at the rate of one-third of a mill of equalized valuation. The resolution calls for a rate of one-sixth of a mill.

A mill is one-tenth of a penny, and these mills do add up. For each $100,000 of property valuation the library tab is $33 annually.

Molly Newling, assistant director of the Piscataway Library, noted that the one-third mill law requiring municipalities to fund libraries has been on the books for more than 100 years.

"It seems to have worked well. Cutting that would be devastating," she said.

Plainfield, which serves as a regional library in Western Union County, gets in excess of the one-third mill minimum, with an annual budget of about $1.5 million. "We couldn't operate if (the minimum) was all we received," said Da Rold.

Allowing for the historic nature of the city, one of the most popular services is helping people trace their genealogy. "If you're not careful the genealogy people can take over your life," said Da Rold.

TIGHT SPACES: The boom in business in Plainfield is matched elsewhere. The number of items lent by the North Brunswick library, including books, DVDs and CDs, increased from 257,000 items in 2007 to 320,000 in 2008. The number of computer sessions increased from 50,000 to 59,000.

The biggest problem in North Brunswick is the cramped size of its library. A rule of thumb, said McBride, is one-square-foot per residents. North Brunswick has 34,000 residents, with a 14,000 square-foot library.

McBride looks with envy at Monroe, which dedicated its 44,000 square-foot library yesterday. McBride previously worked at the 36,000 square-foot Franklin Township (Somerset County) Library that opened in December 2006.

The New Jersey State Library is mounting a campaign to counter the League of Municipalities resolution. Included in its campaign is a sample resolution for library directors to send to legislators.

The sample resolution declares, in part, "Public libraries are vital community centers providing essential services to the residents of their municipalities, even more so during these difficult times."

One of the biggest demands at local libraries is access to computers, to assist in job searches.

The East Brunswick library will host a seminar on Feb. 9 to assist people in writing resumes and hone their interview skills.

A section of the Piscataway Public Library has been set aside as a career center, offering information on job availabilities, resume-writing and tools for small business.

However, the Piscataway library is a victim of its own downsizing, having eliminated Sunday hours and idled its bookmobile to cut costs.

Da Rold said his staff does not monitor computer use, to see what sites patrons are visiting. However, he said, "We know from the questions they're asking that it has something to do with looking for a job."

VARIED OFFERINGS: The East Brunswick has classes offering meditation and yoga and classes in Qigong, a Chinese exercise program. "We're the community center and everything is free," said Kaspin, allowing for exceptions in the cafe and copier machines.

Many libraries offer free use of DVDs. Plainfield rents DVDs for free. The Carteret Public Library charges $1.50 for DVDs. "It's a lot cheaper than four movie tickets," said library supervisor Sam Latini.

"There are many free programs - books, music or movies, which more people are taking advantage of due to these tight times," according to Fran Daley, director of youth services at the Hunterdon County branch library in Clinton Town.

"Perhaps it is a sign of the times, but our eBay classes have attracted more than 50 sign-ups each," said Valeri Drach Weidmann of the Highland Park Public Library.

The Kenilworth Public Library has stepped up the purchase of nonfiction books that foster economical lifestyles, such as budget cookbooks and do-it-yourself guides.

The South Amboy Public Library buys as many as 10 copies of popular best sellers, saving patrons its cost. "People don't have to go to the bookstore. It's like recycling books," said director Elaine Gaber.

This is not all good for booksellers. The more books that libraries lend, the fewer booksellers sell.

The Association of American Publishers recently reported that the sale of books decreased by 14.4 percent in November, compared with November of 2007, and were down by 4.4 percent for entire year.

Rick Malwitz: 732-565-7291; Rmalwitz@mycentraljersey.com

Posted by tumulty at February 1, 2009 7:34 PM

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