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February 3, 2010

Monmouth County Library System seeks input on programs

Coleen Dee Berry • Reader Submitted • February 2, 2010
app.com

MANALAPAN -- The Monmouth County Library System is beginning 2010 with a new initiative a survey that will ask county residents for their input on future programming.

To help formulate a new master plan for the Library System, the Monmouth County Library Board of Commissioners is undertaking a survey of library patrons and county residents. The survey asks patrons for their areas of interest, and what type of events and programming they would like to see at the library.

The 12-question survey is currently available on the library's website, http://www.monmouthcountylib.org/, and will be online through the month of February. In addition, visitors to library branches will be able to complete the survey using one of the library's computers, or complete a paper copy if they prefer.

The survey will run throughout the month of February. Results of the survey will be made public sometime in March, and will help the Library Commission plan future events and programs that will better meet the needs and interests of the residents of Monmouth County, according to Library Director Ken Sheinbaum.

As 2010 began, the Monmouth County Library System welcomed its 12th branch. On Jan, 4, the West Long Branch Library opened its doors for the first time as a county branch library. The library, which had shared services with the county Library System for the past three decades, now is a full-fledged member of the largest circulating public library collection in the state.

The change in the library's status will garner an estimated annual savings of more than $200,000 for residents of West Long Branch. The change from locally-run library to a county branch was overwhelmingly approved by West Long Branch residents by a 2-1 margin in a non-binding referendum this past November.

The Library System is also gearing up for the following programs in 2010:
-- The Library System will continue its emphasis on the Teen and Young Adult program, and will partner with the Monmouth County Communications High School in Wall to help with programming and collections. As part of this growing initiative, the library's Teen Advisory Board membership will be expanded.
One of the first major events of the young adult program will be the Sweet Seconds Prom Dress Swap, which is open to all interested Monmouth County residents. The dress swap will be held this March at the Hazlet and Howell branches, according to program librarian Stephanie Acosta. Other young adult programs scheduled include the Puzzle Project for teen artists, a Youth Guitar workshop and a Japanese anime workshop. The program is also in the planning stages for a series of science and technology-themed events for later in the year.

-- The Library System will continue to host cultural and ethnic events, such as a Black History Month “History Through Music” festival on Feb. 6, and Jewish Heritage Month in this May. The popular Jazz Month music series will return, as will the Beatles cover band, Strawberry Fields, for a concert.

-- The Library will also unveil a new program in April, Books for Babies, which would give participants in the Baby Storytime Series free books appropriate for young children aged 10 months to 2 years.

-- The Library System will continue to offer job-seeker services in these tough economic times. One-on-one job hunting assistance is available by appointment in the Career Information Center at the Eastern Branch of the Monmouth County Library on Route 35 in Shrewsbury. Call 1-866-941-8188 for an appointment. Career Information Center resources are also available online at www.monmouthcountylib.org/cic.htm At the Library headquarters in Manalapan, SCORE (Senior Corps of Retired Executives) provides free, confidential, one-on-one counseling for owners and would-be owners of small businesses by appointments on Tuesdays and Thursday; those interest can call 732-431-7220 for an appointment.

Posted by tumulty at February 3, 2010 6:02 PM

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