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September 23, 2009

Big plans for a little library

Hopewellspace.com

Richard Bidnick, the new librarian at the Hopewell Borough library, has plans to expand offerings.

You could say that Richard Bidnick’s journey to the Hopewell Public Library began in Egypt.

Bidnick, who took over as director of the library at 13 E. Broad St. this spring, developed his interest in library science while studying ancient Egyptian art in Cairo as a student at American University. He returned to the United States to pursue a master’s degree in library science, but decided to remain in the U.S. rather then seek a job with a library collection in Cairo, after enjoyable experiences working in small community libraries.

Previously the director of the West Long Branch Library, Bidnick lives in Forked River but said he was attracted to Hopewell Borough after he read a 2007 New York Times article that described the town as “Vermont-like.”

“I’m a great lover of Vermont so when this opened up last year, I applied for it,” Bidnick said.

Bidnick described the borough’s “friendly and welcoming” spirit, where he said residents pitch in on community projects with the enthusiasm of an old-fashioned barn raising with a 21st-century spin.

“When the library went to an electronic card catalog, the whole community signed up to do the work and the bar coding,” he said. “Hundreds of people came to help.”

In August, the library was temporarily closed for renovations, including installation of a new circulation desk paid for by the Friends of the Hopewell Public Library, and new carpeting.

“Right after I started I went to (the Friends) and they came up with the money for us to be able to purchase the desk,” he said.
The custom made desk cost about $12,000.

After the renovations, he said he hopes to turn an eye to drawing the public into the library this fall with a variety of programs.
“My whole plan here is to make the library the cultural heart of the community,” he said.

Using electronic databases and the Internet, small libraries today can offer patrons the same services as a larger library, he said.

The library also began a DVD collection this summer and Bidnick said he would like to start a DVD discussion group, which were popular in previous libraries where he has worked.

“One of the big challenges is having the ability to maintain the services we have during the current economic crisis,” he said.

“Libraries have been under the gun in recent years; it’s difficult in a smaller library to be able to maintain public services, staffing and materials.”

As an independent municipal library, the borough library is funded largely by the borough. Other major fundraising for capital improvements and collections is conducted through the Friends of the Library, assisted by a small amount of state aid and donations. It is open to borough residents as well as residents of Hopewell Township and Pennington.

The current building has no room to expand, but Bidnick speculated that future plans could include building a new facility some day.

This fall, library programs will include a number of author visits, including Karen Riley, who will talk about her book “Voices in the Pines.” Another author plans to discuss a book about psychology.

“I would like to reach out to local authors and use the library as a place where they can talk about their writing, do author talks, book signing, cultural programs– things of interest to the community, to the nation as a whole,” Bidnick said.

For more information about library programs, go online to http://www.redlibrary.org or http://www.hopewellpubliclibrary.blogspot.com, or contact the library at (609) 466-1625.

Posted by tumulty at September 23, 2009 4:18 PM

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