Asbury Park Press
ASBURY PARK — A $19,500 grant for the Asbury Park Public Library from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation means at least 12 new computers or double the number the library has now, said Malakai Oglesby, the library's information systems manager.

The foundation recently announced $8.1 million in online grants over two years to help public libraries in 11 states "improve and sustain free, quality access to computers."

In New Jersey, $969,800 in Opportunity Online grants are available to 83 libraries, which must apply and show they can meet requirements to match the grants.

The eligible libraries include Asbury Park, Bradley Beach, Keyport, Bayshore Branch and Elberon Branch in Monmouth County.

The Internet age also happens to be the golden age of American libraries. Who would have thought it?

Instead of falling prey to the fast and easy glut of electronic information available in one's home via the personal computer, libraries — in all of their bookish glory — have instead been able to capitalize on the advent of computers and their links to the World Wide Web, mostly by luring patrons who want Internet services along with a good read.

Libraries have adapted in other ways few could ever have imagined, expanding their roster of services to include classes for children and adults, video clubs and video nights, even trendy coffee bars next to the stacks. Most amazing, libraries have morphed from a solitary experience into participatory community endeavors, places where neighbors can meet, learn a thing or two, and exchange ideas in a now fashionable setting.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008
By Heather Simione
hsimione@sjnewsco.com
PENNS GROVE Ñ The Penns Grove-Carneys Point Public Library continues along an uncertain path of meeting community needs as financial hardships become more evident along with the structureÕs physical deterioration and obsolete equipment.

In an effort to alleviate some of the pressures in cash-strapped communities such as Penns Grove, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has offered a grant to aid public libraries with their battle to fight illiteracy.

However, because libraries must provide funding to match the grant, the local library will most likely not receive the money.

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MIDDLETOWN — Jessica Lamonico, 6, is dancing in the library.

While she swings her arms to a Hannah Montana song, turned way up, the library staff doesn't seem to mind. Jessica is taking full advantage of the library's family Wii night, a free program offered Tuesday that allows library members to have free play on several different Wii games for two hours that evening.

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SHREWSBURY — While Monmouth County Library Director Kenneth Scheinbaum described the Eastern Branch's expansion project as "no easy feat," the hundreds who attended Sunday's dedication ceremony said they were thrilled with the final product.

"It's so cool," said 8-year-old Kara Forest of Red Bank, who said she saw a funny play and participated in face painting and drawing during the afternoon event.

"This is my most favorite place aside from the beach," Monmouth Beach resident Carol Spies said. "We all complain about our tax dollars, but when I come in here, I'm so happy I pay for this."

The collection of materials at Monmouth and Ocean county libraries is as diverse as the patrons who frequent them.

Census figures show that nearly one in five New Jersey residents was born in a foreign country.

In 2007, the Ocean County Library was awarded a $25,000 grant from the New Jersey State Library "to help start, strengthen or expand programs that serve residents who may encounter difficulty using traditional library services due to challenges such as age, disabilities or language," according to a news release about the grant.

MORRISTOWN -- Charles Belfield stops by the library just about every day to check e-mail, search for a job online or listen to music on one of the library's computers.

"It is pretty good, but I wish they would let you stay on longer," the 36-year-old Morristown resident said of the Morristown and Morris Township Library. "I try to come every day."

In the face of fears that the Internet would kill libraries, free access to computers and the Internet has actually proven to be a boon in Morristown.

"A lot of people have been coming here to use the Internet, whether to check their e-mail, do job searches or anything else," said Polly Lacey, head of the library's reference department.

The "anything else" could be listening to music or filling out online applications for such things as jobs at Morristown Memorial Hospital, Lacey said.

Daily Record

WASHINGTON -- Each year, more than 1 billion people visit libraries to borrow books or videos, log onto the Internet or participate in various community programs.

But government support for libraries, and how much community residents use them, varies widely across the country.

Gannett News Service analyzed data obtained from the federal government's National Center for Education Statistics for 2002 and 2005 and from individual states for 2006.

In some categories, 2005 data was more reliable or complete than information from 2006.

CENTRAL JERSEY —The Internet was supposed to send America's public libraries the way of eight-track tapes and pay phones. But it turns out they're busier than ever.

Libraries have transformed themselves from staid, sleepy institutions into hip community centers offering Internet service, classes for children and seniors, and even coffee and video gaming nights.

Some have classes on citizenship for recent immigrants or provide sessions on improving computer skills. Most offer wireless Internet service, and many consult teen advisory councils for guidance on how to attract young people.

Spotswood's library has recently introduced weekly yoga classes. East Brunswick's library recently held an ice cream social that drew 600 people. Woodbridge's library holds film nights. Many Central Jersey libraries offer computer classes.

Monday, July 14, 2008
By EMILY ANNE EPSTEIN
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER
While the weather may make you want to hum "No more pencils, no more books," the Secaucus Library is the place to be during the summer months.

Head Reference Librarian Jenifer May, who has worked at the library since 1998, has observed the habits of Secaucus' bookworms.

"We don't have that rush of schoolchildren coming in to study after school, but there are more people coming in for leisure reading," May said.

And just what are people reading these lazy days?

"This time of year, people want a lighter read, usually fiction, mystery, suspense or romance," May remarked.

The Young Adult section gets a lot of traffic, too, with the "Clique" series by Lisa Harrison almost always off the shelves.

Thirteen-year-old Josie Sosa looks forward to reading the entire series of Ellen Hopkins books.

"I want to read "Crank," "Glass," "Impulse" - all of them in the two weeks after school's out," she said.

Daksha Jhaveri likes to spend her summer reading best sellers by Danielle Steele or Sidney Sheldon, but enjoys the options provided at the library.

"They have a very wide range of books to choose from," she said.

Friday, July 11, 2008
By JACQUELINE LINDSAY
Staff Writer
BELVIDERE -- Warren County Library officials are taking steps to expand the hours of operation and update services at libraries in Belvidere, Blairstown, Franklin and Hackettstown. Their goal is to make the libraries more accessible for patrons.

Warren County Library Headquarters in Belvidere and branches Catherine Dickson Hofman Library in Blairstown, Franklin Library and the Northeast Library in Hackettstown expanded their summer hours after reaching an agreement with Local Union 3287, which represents library employees

Somerset County Library System patrons can turn a simple search into research with the library's new federated search engine, called Research Pro. A federated search allows library card holders to search magazines, journals, books, e-books, audio e-books, the library's catalog, the internet and more all on one site. This is one stop shopping research!

This fast and effective tool offers a way to find multiple resources, without needing to guess which databases to search. Students, professionals and consumers will be pleased to have easier access to about 30 resources that can be searched simultaneously, making the research process both more reliable and much faster.

Research Pro may be accessed directly from the Library's main catalog at http://catalog.somerset.lib.nj.us/search . A valid Somerset County Library System card and PIN number is required to use this service. A help button is available on the Research Pro screen.

To learn more about the Somerset County Library System visit the library's website at www.somerset.lib.nj.us.

The Somerset County Library System has library branches in Bound Brook, Bridgewater, Hillsborough, North Plainfield, Peapack, Rocky Hill, Warren and Watchung. Member municipalities include; Bound Brook, Branchburg, Bridgewater, Green Brook, Hillsborough, Millstone, Montgomery, North Plainfield, Peapack-Gladstone, Rocky Hill, South Bound Brook, Warren and Watchung.

The possibility of closing the four neighborhood libraries has prompted an outcry from patrons and some city council members. The proposal, which would maintain only the main library on Academy Street, was sparked by a request by city officials for all departments to cut their budgets by 10 percent.

Saturday, June 07, 2008
BY NORMA BLAKE

With the summer recess from school right around the corner, many parents are thinking of ways to keep their children's minds and bodies active after those first weeks of euphoric freedom erode to boredom. Let me suggest that, before they become frazzled, their local library may offer a solution.

For the past six years, the New Jersey State Library has supported the New Jersey Library Association's statewide Summer Reading Program with a $50,000 grant. This worthwhile initiative has attracted more and more children and teens each year. In fact, in 2007, more than 154,550 children and teens across New Jersey participated in public-library summer reading programs, reading nearly one million books. Since its inception, the Summer Reading Program has mo tivated children to read purely for fun -- without the pressure of tak ing tests or writing book reports -- keeping their minds sharp, improving their reading skills and expanding their imaginations.