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Monday, October 18, 2010
VETERANS DAY
Friday, October 15, 2010
WARREN LIBRARY BOOK SALE
The Friends of the Warren Library Book Sale will be held today, Friday, Oct. 15, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 16, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. All sale items are library discards.
The proceeds from this sale help support programs for children, teens and adults.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
ELECTION DAY
 |
Please note that the Warren Library as well as all branches of the Somerset County Library System will be CLOSED Election Day, Tuesday, Nov 2.
The Warren Library meeting room is OPEN for Voting.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Harvest Moon
The Harvest Moon usually appears in the month of September. However, on occasion, it appears as a full moon early in October. This is the case this year, when the full moon closest to the autumn equinox will appear in the night sky on Oct. 2.
The Harvest Moon, when it falls in September, is also known as the "Fruit Moon." When it falls in October, it is sometimes called the "Hunter’s Moon." This is because October is the month when large animals, such a deer and moose are hunted for the winter’s meat supply. If taken before that time, it is said that the meat will taste wild or "strong." Hunting animals before the "Hunter’s Moon," also interferes with the rut.
The Harvest Moon rises as the sun sets. This occurs only in the Northern Hemisphere. This early rising and extra light allowed farmers to work long into the night in order to bring in the year’s harvest. In the Southern Hemisphere, the exact opposite occurs. There is a longer period of time between sunset and the rising of the moon. The south does not require the extra time to harvest the crops. In the north, if the crops are not taken in, they will be destroyed by frost, which can hit anytime during September or October. It is usually safe to assume there will be no frost, or only a light frost, before the Harvest Moon.
The Harvest Moon always hangs low in the sky. It seems to be larger and more beautiful than other full moons and often has an orange or pink cast. The reason for this is African dust storms and North American wildfires, which have filled the atmosphere with aerosols.
The human eye sees a low hanging moon as being larger than one that rides high in the sky. This is known as a “Moon Illusion,” because, in reality, the moon is always the same size.
www.moonphases.info
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Regular Saturday Hours Resume
Please note that regular Saturday Hours of Operation will resume Saturday, Sept. 11. The Warren Library will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
How to Get Your Child Ready for Back To School
How to Get Your Child Ready for Back to School
(from www.wikihow.com)
1) It's that time of year once again, a time when parents rejoice and kids groan. That's right - it's back to school time. But before you breakout the backpacks and the pencils, ask yourself this question - are you and your child fully prepared for the year ahead? Here's how to get you and your child ready for back-to-school.
2) Find out about your child's school - Whether your child is returning to the same school or starting at a new one, it's always a good idea to get the lowdown on any changes at the school. Is there a new principal? Who are your child's teachers? What's going on with the curriculum? What tests will be administered to your child? As most school districts start in September, schools tend to be open a month before. You can call the school directly and speak with an administrator or visit the school for information.
3) Get your child into the back-to-school routine - During the summer, staying up late and sleeping in are the norm. But as the start of school draws near, children need to get back into a routine. About three weeks before school starts, have your child go to bed 15 minutes earlier at night and get up 15 minutes earlier in the morning. When school is two weeks away, have your child go to bed 30 minutes earlier at night and get up thirty minutes earlier in the morning. When your child is about to start school in a week, have him go to bed an hour earlier at night and get up an hour earlier in the morning. By developing a bedtime routine, your child will be less resistant to the early morning wake-up calls to get ready for school. In addition, if you're not already doing this, have your child lay out his clothes before he goes to bed. That will teach him to get organized and be prepared in case you are running late in the morning.
4) Go over the three R's - Regardless if you're a teacher or not, we all have knowledge to pass on to our kids. What were your strengths in school? Reading? Writing? Science? Math? Whatever your favorite subject, use what you've learned in school and in life to go over some of the basics with your child. In essence, you can "play" school with your child. It should be in a room without distractions (i.e. no TV or video games) and geared towards learning (i.e. den, family library or home office). A run through of the basics should take no more than 30 minutes to an hour and should be done 2-3 times a week. This is an excellent opportunity to see where your child needs help and to pass that information on to his teachers.
5) Prepare the supplies - Depending on your child's grade level (K0-12), the type of supplies needed will vary. Some schools sends a list out a couple of weeks before the school year. If no such list is provided, what your child needs for school can be determined by a trip to OfficeMax, Staples or Wal-mart. Every August, those stores provide free school supply lists for their customers. They're pretty concise and arranged by grade level. You can again contact the school directly to see what supplied your child will need.
6) Plan to meet and greet - The first day of school has arrived. This is a big day for you and your child. This is the time to go with your child on his first day and introduce yourself to the teachers. As your child settles into his classroom, you can have a quick sidebar with the teacher to find out who he is and what he's planning to teach your child. Be sure to exchange contact information with the teacher. The teacher should provide you with a copy of a lesson plan or syllabus that gives you the gist of what will be taught in class. Don't be afraid to ask questions of everyone you meet. You and the teachers should work together for the benefit of your child.
(from www.wikihow.com)
1) It's that time of year once again, a time when parents rejoice and kids groan. That's right - it's back to school time. But before you breakout the backpacks and the pencils, ask yourself this question - are you and your child fully prepared for the year ahead? Here's how to get you and your child ready for back-to-school.
2) Find out about your child's school - Whether your child is returning to the same school or starting at a new one, it's always a good idea to get the lowdown on any changes at the school. Is there a new principal? Who are your child's teachers? What's going on with the curriculum? What tests will be administered to your child? As most school districts start in September, schools tend to be open a month before. You can call the school directly and speak with an administrator or visit the school for information.
3) Get your child into the back-to-school routine - During the summer, staying up late and sleeping in are the norm. But as the start of school draws near, children need to get back into a routine. About three weeks before school starts, have your child go to bed 15 minutes earlier at night and get up 15 minutes earlier in the morning. When school is two weeks away, have your child go to bed 30 minutes earlier at night and get up thirty minutes earlier in the morning. When your child is about to start school in a week, have him go to bed an hour earlier at night and get up an hour earlier in the morning. By developing a bedtime routine, your child will be less resistant to the early morning wake-up calls to get ready for school. In addition, if you're not already doing this, have your child lay out his clothes before he goes to bed. That will teach him to get organized and be prepared in case you are running late in the morning.
4) Go over the three R's - Regardless if you're a teacher or not, we all have knowledge to pass on to our kids. What were your strengths in school? Reading? Writing? Science? Math? Whatever your favorite subject, use what you've learned in school and in life to go over some of the basics with your child. In essence, you can "play" school with your child. It should be in a room without distractions (i.e. no TV or video games) and geared towards learning (i.e. den, family library or home office). A run through of the basics should take no more than 30 minutes to an hour and should be done 2-3 times a week. This is an excellent opportunity to see where your child needs help and to pass that information on to his teachers.
5) Prepare the supplies - Depending on your child's grade level (K0-12), the type of supplies needed will vary. Some schools sends a list out a couple of weeks before the school year. If no such list is provided, what your child needs for school can be determined by a trip to OfficeMax, Staples or Wal-mart. Every August, those stores provide free school supply lists for their customers. They're pretty concise and arranged by grade level. You can again contact the school directly to see what supplied your child will need.
6) Plan to meet and greet - The first day of school has arrived. This is a big day for you and your child. This is the time to go with your child on his first day and introduce yourself to the teachers. As your child settles into his classroom, you can have a quick sidebar with the teacher to find out who he is and what he's planning to teach your child. Be sure to exchange contact information with the teacher. The teacher should provide you with a copy of a lesson plan or syllabus that gives you the gist of what will be taught in class. Don't be afraid to ask questions of everyone you meet. You and the teachers should work together for the benefit of your child.
September is Library Card Sign-up Month!
The smartest card in your wallet is a Library card.
The Warren Library staff helps students to find age-appropriate materials to read for pleasure and Web-based resources for homework help. By motivating children to read, librarians create lifelong readers. The most important school supply of all is a library card!
The library offers free programs for children and adults, tailored to meet the local community needs and interests.
There's a lot happening at the Warren Twp Library, and the best part for both children and parents is that it's all free with a library card.
September is Library Card Sign-up Month. Stop by Warren to replace your worn-out card or get a new library card.
It's free and it's worth it!
The Warren Library staff helps students to find age-appropriate materials to read for pleasure and Web-based resources for homework help. By motivating children to read, librarians create lifelong readers. The most important school supply of all is a library card!
The library offers free programs for children and adults, tailored to meet the local community needs and interests.
There's a lot happening at the Warren Twp Library, and the best part for both children and parents is that it's all free with a library card.
September is Library Card Sign-up Month. Stop by Warren to replace your worn-out card or get a new library card.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Nominate a Warren Twp Library librarian for "I Love My Librarian" award
The Carnegie Corporation of New York/New York Times I Love My Librarian Award encourages library users to recognize the accomplishments of librarians in public, school, college, community college and university libraries for their efforts to improve the lives of people in their community.
Nominations will be open from August 2 to September 20.
Up to 10 librarians in public, school and college, community college and university libraries will be selected to win $5,000 and will be honored at a ceremony and reception in New York, hosted by The New York Times. In addition, a plaque will be given to each award winner’s library. Winners will be announced in December 2010.
Each nominee must be a librarian with a master’s degree from a program accredited by the ALA in library and information studies or a master’s degree with a specialty in school library media from an educational unit accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. Nominees must be currently working in the United States in a public library, a library at an accredited two- or four-year college or university or at an accredited K-12 school.
For more information and to nominate a librarian, visit www.ilovelibraries.org/ilovemylibrarian. Or click on this link to access the online nomination form.
The award is supported by Carnegie Corporation of New York and The New York Times.
It is administered by The American Library Association (ALA), the oldest and largest library association in the world, and The Campaign for America’s Libraries, ALA’s public awareness campaign about the value of libraries and librarians.
Monday, August 23, 2010
21 Ways to Squeeze Every Last Drop Out of Summer Before It Ends
21 Ways to Squeeze Every Last Drop Out of Summer Before It Ends
Written by Christine Kane
There’s always a weekend when it hits me. It’s usually mid-August. It’s usually hot. And the cicadas are singing like there’s no tomorrow. I wake up and realize, “Ohmigod! Summer’s almost over!”
If you’re at all like me – you still want to live summer to the fullest! Here are 22 ideas for how to be more present to this amazing time of the year when summer turns its volume up right before disappearing into cool thin air.
1 – Wake Up Early
The days are still lighter longer, so it’s the perfect chance to wake up and be present to the sunrise. Take a walk in the early hours while it’s still cool outside. Don’t forget to bring your dog!
2 – Create the Ultimate Summer Song Playlist
Visit iTunes and download 20 of your favorite summer happy songs, and take a sunset drive with the windows down. Sing loud!
3 – Get a Last-Minute Beach Deal
If you don’t have kids who are heading back to school, it’s a great time to find deals at the beach! Plus, it’s a quiet and peaceful time to be on the shore.
4 – Listen Up
Depending on where you live, the end of the summer is a feast of healing sounds for your ears. Cicadas, tree frogs, wood thrush and songbirds – to name a few. Take some time to sit still and listen. Pure attention is creativity at its finest.
5 – Visit your Local Tailgate Market
I often wish I still had my organic garden. I loved growing my own vegetables. But the truth is, I don’t have the time (or sunlight!) to create a thriving garden. This is why I’m so happy to visit the local tailgate market this time of year. This is when harvest is at its most decadent. Stretch yourself and purchase a few new veggies you’ve never eaten before!
6 – Catch an Outdoor Concert
Some of my very best concert memories are from the many concerts I’ve seen while sitting on a blanket in the grass. From Latin to Lillith, from ballet to Buffett – outdoor performances are a renewal for your soul.
7 – Fire Up the Pit
If the nights are getting cooler in your area, it’s a great time to light up a fire and have friends over for some intimate conversation by the outdoor fire pit or chiminea.
8 – Call in Lazy
Okay, I’ll go ahead and admit it. When I had a “real” job, I called in lazy a few times. (Of course, I never actually used those words!) My friend Diane and I would sometimes call in lazy together and use those days to drive to the Chesapeake Bay for a quick getaway from our city lives. Take off for a day of total summer immersion. Don’t wait til you’re sick to pamper yourself!
9 – Outside More than Inside
Sometimes I present myself with the following weekend challenge: Be outside more hours than inside. (In fact, as I write this, I’m sitting by the falls on the river.) Nature revives us. Our bodies get in tune and in touch when we surround ourselves with the natural rhythms of the earth. Challenge yourself to see how much time you can spend outside!
10 – Catch a Great Summer Movie
Talk to me all you want about Netflix – but there’s something special about going to a theater and seeing a movie on the big screen. There’s always a few good summer movies in each genre – so don’t wait for the DVD! Experience a fun evening out!
11 – Watch the sun set
One of my mantras is this: “Above all – reverence.” One of my favorite ways to experience the awe and wonder of life is to sit quietly and watch a sunset. It’s free. It’s easy. And there are always lots of great spots in any city or region to make an occasion out of it.
12 – Slice a tomato.
The end of summer is tomato time! My favorites are the big purple red heirloom tomatoes – not just because they taste so good, but because they are so completely beautiful when you slice into them. Each one is a work of art. Slice a tomato, cover it with fresh dill, and a little bit of salt. Enjoy!
13 – Go ahead. Get trashy.
There’s nothing better than indulging in that slightly embarrassing book you’ve been meaning to read. Don’t worry about hiding the cover behind a National Geographic magazine. Just enjoy it!
14 – Shed the Excess
The heat of summer is a great excuse to get rid of the excess. If you’re weighed down by lots of clutter and stuff you don’t use, toss open your windows, crank up the music and de-clutter. You’ll feel so much lighter when fall arrives.
15 – Dig in the Dirt
If you have a garden, it’s a great time to divide your plants, add some compost, mulch it up, and gather seeds. In my shade garden, it’s time to divide the hostas! Just plunging your hands into the earth will awaken your heart to what’s real!
16 – Go for Gazpacho!
If you haven’t done it yet, this is the best time to make gazpacho soup. It’s healthy, and it uses all the ingredients readily available in abundance right now.
17 – Take an After-Dinner Walk
Before you know it, it’ll be dark outside as you make your dinner. Take advantage of these last days of late sun – and take a simple quiet walk after dinner.
18 – Swing on a swing.
Swinging is the happiest activity in the world. All you have to do is keep your eyes on the lookout for a great swing – in a park, on a tree by the river, at a local farm. Don’t roll your eyes! Get out there and swing. Your mood will thank you!
19 – Adopt a pet.
It’s the time of year when the spring babies are ready for adoption. What better way to prepare yourself for winter than to bring a furry bundle of love to your home?
20 – Take a shade gardening workshop
One of my favorite blogs is A Way to Garden. Margaret Roach is the coolest smartest woo-woo garden blogger out there. She and Bob Hyland are offering a day-long shade gardening workshop – which I would totally sign up for if I weren’t so far away. (Note: This will sell out very quickly. Take advantage of the low price!)
21 – Make Pesto
Basil is, quite simply, the best thing EVER. Or maybe pesto is. I can never really decide. Anyway, pesto is heaven. You can find many great recipes on the web. Or, do like I do, and use your intuition. Either way, pesto will keep you happy through the winter – and it makes a great gift for your friends and neighbors! (And by the way, you can make an awesome vegan pesto too. The cheese is totally optional!).
(Contributed by Catherine DeBerry - Reference Librarian - Warren Twp Library)
Written by Christine Kane
There’s always a weekend when it hits me. It’s usually mid-August. It’s usually hot. And the cicadas are singing like there’s no tomorrow. I wake up and realize, “Ohmigod! Summer’s almost over!”
If you’re at all like me – you still want to live summer to the fullest! Here are 22 ideas for how to be more present to this amazing time of the year when summer turns its volume up right before disappearing into cool thin air.
1 – Wake Up Early
The days are still lighter longer, so it’s the perfect chance to wake up and be present to the sunrise. Take a walk in the early hours while it’s still cool outside. Don’t forget to bring your dog!
2 – Create the Ultimate Summer Song Playlist
Visit iTunes and download 20 of your favorite summer happy songs, and take a sunset drive with the windows down. Sing loud!
3 – Get a Last-Minute Beach Deal
If you don’t have kids who are heading back to school, it’s a great time to find deals at the beach! Plus, it’s a quiet and peaceful time to be on the shore.
4 – Listen Up
Depending on where you live, the end of the summer is a feast of healing sounds for your ears. Cicadas, tree frogs, wood thrush and songbirds – to name a few. Take some time to sit still and listen. Pure attention is creativity at its finest.
5 – Visit your Local Tailgate Market
I often wish I still had my organic garden. I loved growing my own vegetables. But the truth is, I don’t have the time (or sunlight!) to create a thriving garden. This is why I’m so happy to visit the local tailgate market this time of year. This is when harvest is at its most decadent. Stretch yourself and purchase a few new veggies you’ve never eaten before!
6 – Catch an Outdoor Concert
Some of my very best concert memories are from the many concerts I’ve seen while sitting on a blanket in the grass. From Latin to Lillith, from ballet to Buffett – outdoor performances are a renewal for your soul.
7 – Fire Up the Pit
If the nights are getting cooler in your area, it’s a great time to light up a fire and have friends over for some intimate conversation by the outdoor fire pit or chiminea.
8 – Call in Lazy
Okay, I’ll go ahead and admit it. When I had a “real” job, I called in lazy a few times. (Of course, I never actually used those words!) My friend Diane and I would sometimes call in lazy together and use those days to drive to the Chesapeake Bay for a quick getaway from our city lives. Take off for a day of total summer immersion. Don’t wait til you’re sick to pamper yourself!
9 – Outside More than Inside
Sometimes I present myself with the following weekend challenge: Be outside more hours than inside. (In fact, as I write this, I’m sitting by the falls on the river.) Nature revives us. Our bodies get in tune and in touch when we surround ourselves with the natural rhythms of the earth. Challenge yourself to see how much time you can spend outside!
10 – Catch a Great Summer Movie
Talk to me all you want about Netflix – but there’s something special about going to a theater and seeing a movie on the big screen. There’s always a few good summer movies in each genre – so don’t wait for the DVD! Experience a fun evening out!
11 – Watch the sun set
One of my mantras is this: “Above all – reverence.” One of my favorite ways to experience the awe and wonder of life is to sit quietly and watch a sunset. It’s free. It’s easy. And there are always lots of great spots in any city or region to make an occasion out of it.
12 – Slice a tomato.
The end of summer is tomato time! My favorites are the big purple red heirloom tomatoes – not just because they taste so good, but because they are so completely beautiful when you slice into them. Each one is a work of art. Slice a tomato, cover it with fresh dill, and a little bit of salt. Enjoy!
13 – Go ahead. Get trashy.
There’s nothing better than indulging in that slightly embarrassing book you’ve been meaning to read. Don’t worry about hiding the cover behind a National Geographic magazine. Just enjoy it!
14 – Shed the Excess
The heat of summer is a great excuse to get rid of the excess. If you’re weighed down by lots of clutter and stuff you don’t use, toss open your windows, crank up the music and de-clutter. You’ll feel so much lighter when fall arrives.
15 – Dig in the Dirt
If you have a garden, it’s a great time to divide your plants, add some compost, mulch it up, and gather seeds. In my shade garden, it’s time to divide the hostas! Just plunging your hands into the earth will awaken your heart to what’s real!
16 – Go for Gazpacho!
If you haven’t done it yet, this is the best time to make gazpacho soup. It’s healthy, and it uses all the ingredients readily available in abundance right now.
17 – Take an After-Dinner Walk
Before you know it, it’ll be dark outside as you make your dinner. Take advantage of these last days of late sun – and take a simple quiet walk after dinner.
18 – Swing on a swing.
Swinging is the happiest activity in the world. All you have to do is keep your eyes on the lookout for a great swing – in a park, on a tree by the river, at a local farm. Don’t roll your eyes! Get out there and swing. Your mood will thank you!
19 – Adopt a pet.
It’s the time of year when the spring babies are ready for adoption. What better way to prepare yourself for winter than to bring a furry bundle of love to your home?
20 – Take a shade gardening workshop
One of my favorite blogs is A Way to Garden. Margaret Roach is the coolest smartest woo-woo garden blogger out there. She and Bob Hyland are offering a day-long shade gardening workshop – which I would totally sign up for if I weren’t so far away. (Note: This will sell out very quickly. Take advantage of the low price!)
21 – Make Pesto
Basil is, quite simply, the best thing EVER. Or maybe pesto is. I can never really decide. Anyway, pesto is heaven. You can find many great recipes on the web. Or, do like I do, and use your intuition. Either way, pesto will keep you happy through the winter – and it makes a great gift for your friends and neighbors! (And by the way, you can make an awesome vegan pesto too. The cheese is totally optional!).
(Contributed by Catherine DeBerry - Reference Librarian - Warren Twp Library)
Thursday, August 19, 2010
The Warren Library is now on Twitter!
Follow us on Twitter to get up to the minute updates about library events, programs, closings, services, new books, authors and much more!!
Get updates via SMS by texting follow warrenlibrarynj to 40404.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
"Artemis Fowl" is back!
New York Times best-selling author Eoin Colfer delivers a knockout, fast-paced, and hilarious adventure in Artemis Fowl: The Atlantis Complex, the seventh book in the blockbuster series.
Place your hold for this popular YA book by clicking on this link for Artemis Fowl: The Atlantic Complex.
Place your hold for this popular YA book by clicking on this link for Artemis Fowl: The Atlantic Complex.
Registration for Fall Programs
Please be advised that registration for our Fall Programs will begin on September 1st in the morning. The brochures for our popular programs will be available later this week. Registration can be done online by going to www.somerset.lib.nj.us/warren.htm and clicking on the appropriate calendar (Adults, Children or Teens).
Or by calling the library at 908-754-5554.
Register early to avoid dissappointments!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Library employee recipient of the Employee of the Month
Rose Remmett, circulation assistant at the Warren Twp Library, has received the Employee of the Month award for July 2010, given by the Somerset County Board of Freeholders.
In the picture, Ms. Remmett is receiving the award from Mr. Jack Ciattarelli, Freeholder Director.
Congratulations to Rose. The Warren Library staff is proud of her!!
In the picture, Ms. Remmett is receiving the award from Mr. Jack Ciattarelli, Freeholder Director.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Travel books at the library
Monday, August 2, 2010
Parking Restrictions on Thursday, August 5
Please be advised that due to an outdoor movie showing hosted by the Warren Recreation Dept, the parking lot close to the library and next to the Municipal Building will not be accessible after 4 p.m. on Thursday, August 5. Please park on the lower lot, by the Bardy Road entrance.
The library will be open until 9 p.m. as usual.
Thanks for your cooperation.
Monday, July 26, 2010
U.S. public libraries: We lose them at our peril.
The following article was published by the Los Angeles Times on July 6, 2010. Marilyn Johnson is the author of, most recently, "This Book is Overdue!"
Libraries are an essential service in action, as well as an effective leveler of privilege and avenue of reinvention. As budget cuts affect more facilities, children will be the first to suffer.
The U.S. is beginning an interesting experiment in democracy: We're cutting public library funds, shrinking our public and school libraries, and in some places, shutting them altogether.
These actions have nothing to do with whether the libraries are any good or whether the staff provides useful service to the community. This country's largest circulating library, in Queens, N.Y., was named the best system in the U.S. last year by Library Journal. Its budget is due to shrink by a third. Los Angeles libraries are being slashed, and beginning this week, the doors will be locked two days a week and at least 100 jobs cut. And until it got a six-month reprieve June 23, Siskiyou County almost became California's only county without a public library. Such cuts and close calls are happening across the country. We won't miss a third of our librarians and branch libraries the way we'd miss a third of our firefighters and firehouses, the rationale goes … but I wonder.
I've spent four years following librarians as they deal with the tremendous increase in information and the many ways we receive it. They've been adapting as capably as any profession, managing our public computers and serving growing numbers of patrons, but it seems that their work has been all but invisible to those in power. I've talked to librarians whose jobs have expanded with the demand for computers and training, and because so many other government services are being cut. The people left in the lurch have looked to the library, where kind, knowledgeable professionals help them navigate the government bureaucracy, apply for benefits, access social services. Public officials will tell you they love libraries and are committed to them; they just don't believe they constitute a "core" service.
But if you visit public libraries, you will see an essential service in action, as librarians help people who don't have other ways to get online, can't get the answers they urgently need, or simply need a safe place to bring their children. I've stood in the parking lot of the Topeka and Shawnee County Library in Kansas on a Sunday morning and watched families pour through doors and head in all directions to do homework or genealogical research, attend computer classes, read the newspapers. I've stood outside New York city libraries with other self-employed people, waiting for the doors to open and give us access to the computers and a warm and affordable place to work. I've met librarians who serve as interpreters and guides to communities of cancer survivors, Polish-speaking citizens, teenage filmmakers, veterans.
The people who welcome us to the library are idealists, who believe that accurate information leads to good decisions and that exposure to the intellectual riches of civilization leads to a better world. The next Abraham Lincoln could be sitting in their library, teaching himself all he needs to know to save the country. While they help us get online, employed and informed, librarians don't try to sell us anything. Nor do they turn around and broadcast our problems, send us spam or keep a record of our interests and needs, because no matter how savvy this profession is at navigating the online world, it clings to that old-fashioned value, privacy. (A profession dedicated to privacy in charge of our public computers? That's brilliant.) They represent the best civic value out there, an army of resourceful workers that can help us compete in the world.
But instead of putting such conscientious, economical and service-oriented professionals to work helping us, we're handing them pink slips. The school libraries and public libraries in which we've invested decades and even centuries of resources will disappear unless we fight for them. The communities that treasure and support their libraries will have an undeniable competitive advantage. Those that don't will watch in envy as the Darien Library in Connecticut hosts networking breakfasts for its out-of-work patrons, and the tiny Gilpin County Public Library in Colorado beckons patrons with a sign that promises "Free coffee, Internet, notary, phone, smiles, restrooms and ideas."
Those lucky enough to live in those towns, or those who own computers, or have high-speed Internet service and on-call technical assistance, will not notice the effects of a diminished public library system — not at first. Whizzes who can whittle down 15 million hits on a Google search to find the useful and accurate bits of info, and those able to buy any book or article or film they want, will escape the immediate consequences of these cuts.
Those in cities that haven't preserved their libraries, those less fortunate and baffled by technology, and our children will be the first to suffer. But sooner or later, we'll all feel the loss as one of the most effective levelers of privilege and avenues of reinvention — one of the great engines of democracy — begins to disappear.
by Marilyn Johnson, for the Los Angeles Times
Libraries are an essential service in action, as well as an effective leveler of privilege and avenue of reinvention. As budget cuts affect more facilities, children will be the first to suffer.
The U.S. is beginning an interesting experiment in democracy: We're cutting public library funds, shrinking our public and school libraries, and in some places, shutting them altogether.
These actions have nothing to do with whether the libraries are any good or whether the staff provides useful service to the community. This country's largest circulating library, in Queens, N.Y., was named the best system in the U.S. last year by Library Journal. Its budget is due to shrink by a third. Los Angeles libraries are being slashed, and beginning this week, the doors will be locked two days a week and at least 100 jobs cut. And until it got a six-month reprieve June 23, Siskiyou County almost became California's only county without a public library. Such cuts and close calls are happening across the country. We won't miss a third of our librarians and branch libraries the way we'd miss a third of our firefighters and firehouses, the rationale goes … but I wonder.
I've spent four years following librarians as they deal with the tremendous increase in information and the many ways we receive it. They've been adapting as capably as any profession, managing our public computers and serving growing numbers of patrons, but it seems that their work has been all but invisible to those in power. I've talked to librarians whose jobs have expanded with the demand for computers and training, and because so many other government services are being cut. The people left in the lurch have looked to the library, where kind, knowledgeable professionals help them navigate the government bureaucracy, apply for benefits, access social services. Public officials will tell you they love libraries and are committed to them; they just don't believe they constitute a "core" service.
But if you visit public libraries, you will see an essential service in action, as librarians help people who don't have other ways to get online, can't get the answers they urgently need, or simply need a safe place to bring their children. I've stood in the parking lot of the Topeka and Shawnee County Library in Kansas on a Sunday morning and watched families pour through doors and head in all directions to do homework or genealogical research, attend computer classes, read the newspapers. I've stood outside New York city libraries with other self-employed people, waiting for the doors to open and give us access to the computers and a warm and affordable place to work. I've met librarians who serve as interpreters and guides to communities of cancer survivors, Polish-speaking citizens, teenage filmmakers, veterans.
The people who welcome us to the library are idealists, who believe that accurate information leads to good decisions and that exposure to the intellectual riches of civilization leads to a better world. The next Abraham Lincoln could be sitting in their library, teaching himself all he needs to know to save the country. While they help us get online, employed and informed, librarians don't try to sell us anything. Nor do they turn around and broadcast our problems, send us spam or keep a record of our interests and needs, because no matter how savvy this profession is at navigating the online world, it clings to that old-fashioned value, privacy. (A profession dedicated to privacy in charge of our public computers? That's brilliant.) They represent the best civic value out there, an army of resourceful workers that can help us compete in the world.
But instead of putting such conscientious, economical and service-oriented professionals to work helping us, we're handing them pink slips. The school libraries and public libraries in which we've invested decades and even centuries of resources will disappear unless we fight for them. The communities that treasure and support their libraries will have an undeniable competitive advantage. Those that don't will watch in envy as the Darien Library in Connecticut hosts networking breakfasts for its out-of-work patrons, and the tiny Gilpin County Public Library in Colorado beckons patrons with a sign that promises "Free coffee, Internet, notary, phone, smiles, restrooms and ideas."
Those lucky enough to live in those towns, or those who own computers, or have high-speed Internet service and on-call technical assistance, will not notice the effects of a diminished public library system — not at first. Whizzes who can whittle down 15 million hits on a Google search to find the useful and accurate bits of info, and those able to buy any book or article or film they want, will escape the immediate consequences of these cuts.
Those in cities that haven't preserved their libraries, those less fortunate and baffled by technology, and our children will be the first to suffer. But sooner or later, we'll all feel the loss as one of the most effective levelers of privilege and avenues of reinvention — one of the great engines of democracy — begins to disappear.
by Marilyn Johnson, for the Los Angeles Times
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
In the Library by Charles Simic
There's a book called "A Dictionary of Angels."
No one has opened it in fifty years, I know,
because when I did,
The covers creaked, the pages
Crumbled. There I discovered
The angels were once as plentiful
As species of flies.
The sky at dusk
Used to be thick with them.
You had to wave both arms
Just to keep them away
Now the sun is shining
Through the tall windows.
The library is a quiet place.
Angels and gods huddled
In dark unopened books.
The great secret lies
On some shelf Miss Jones
Passes every day on her rounds.
She's very tall, so she keeps
Her head tipped as if listening.
The books are whispering.
I hear nothing, but she does.
The angels were once as plentiful
As species of flies.
The sky at dusk
Used to be thick with them.
You had to wave both arms
Just to keep them away
Now the sun is shining
Through the tall windows.
The library is a quiet place.
Angels and gods huddled
In dark unopened books.
The great secret lies
On some shelf Miss Jones
Passes every day on her rounds.
She's very tall, so she keeps
Her head tipped as if listening.
The books are whispering.
I hear nothing, but she does.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Mockingjay: The last book in The Hunger Games trilogy to be released next month
The thrilling final installment of Suzanne Collins's groundbreaking "The Hunger Games" trilogy "Mockingjay" will be released on August 24.
Summary: Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she's made it out of the bloody arena alive, she's still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what's worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss's family, not her friends, not the people of District 12.
"Mockingjay" promises to be one of the most talked about books of the year. It is already available to put holds on it. Don't be deterred by the high number of holds already on it, as the Somerset County Library System will be purchasing close to 50 copies of this book. Visit http://www.somerset.lib.nj.us/ to access our online catalog and place your hold.
Summary: Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she's made it out of the bloody arena alive, she's still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what's worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss's family, not her friends, not the people of District 12.
"Mockingjay" promises to be one of the most talked about books of the year. It is already available to put holds on it. Don't be deterred by the high number of holds already on it, as the Somerset County Library System will be purchasing close to 50 copies of this book. Visit http://www.somerset.lib.nj.us/ to access our online catalog and place your hold.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Heatwave!
A HEALTH warning has been issued by doctors urging people to take precautions as temperatures are set to remain high going into the weekend.
There are a number of ways to prevent overheating and protect yourself and others from heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Here are some recommendations to follow during the next few days:
*Schedule outdoor activities for early morning or early evening.
*Take regular breaks in shady areas or indoors so that your body's thermostat has a chance to recover.
*Avoid direct sunlight whenever possible. Always use sunscreen to reduce the heat your body absorbs and to limit moisture loss. Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. People who work in the sun should take frequent breaks and not push themselves too hard.
*Drink plenty of fluids and don't wait until you're thirsty to drink. If you're doing heavy exercise in the heat, drink two to four glasses of cool fluids each hour. Even when you're swimming, you need to drink plenty of water.
*Don't eat a heavy or hot meal before going outside in hot weather. Doing so will heat your body faster.
*Avoid liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar -- they may cause you to lose more body fluids.
*During hot weather, monitor the condition of family, friends and co-workers, and have someone do the same for you. During a heat wave, relatives and friends should call elderly people twice a day to ask how they're doing.
*Call 911 immediately if you suspect that you or someone else has had a heat stroke, marked by a high body temperature, a rapid pulse, dizziness, confusion, fatigue, headache, seizure and/or hot, dry skin that is flushed but not sweaty.
And remember that if you don't have air conditioning at home the Warren library is the COOLEST place to be!
Children's programs at the library
On Friday, June 28, eighty-three kids, parents and caregivers celebrated Warren Township's summer kickoff with Pirate Mark and an afternoon of fun and magic. He amazed us with awesome illusions, Pedro the singing parrot, foam swords, and slinkys for everyone.
For more events for children during the summer visit our website www.somerset.lib.nj.us/warren.htm - Click on Children's Programs to view the calendar.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Schools' Summer Reading Lists
Visit the Warren Township Library to check out this year's Summer Reading Books for elementary, middle school and high school. The school librarians have come up with a great list of suggested summer reads for elementary and middle school students, including books by Mo Willems, Kate DiCamillo, Dan Gutman, Gordon Korman, Sharon Creech and more. Students at Watchung Hills Regional High School have required texts and should stop by the library to see what is available. A rundown of Summer Reading Lists can be found at the SCLS web site: http://www.somerset.lib.nj.us/sclsweb1/%20readerscornerkidsteensschoolbooklists.htm
Monday, June 21, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
E-mail Notifications from Your Library
Are you registered to receive email alerts regarding library programs and news?
As part of an ongoing effort to save money and reduce printing costs, Warren Township Library and the Somerset County Library System offers our patrons the option of receiving e-mail notifications regarding programs and other news. Fliers, program booklets, and weekly bulletins are released nearly every day (but no worries - you'll never receive more than 3 emails per day from us!). No library card account is necessary to subscribe to this service.
In addition, you may also register your library account to receive overdue items alerts and hold notifications via e-mail. Choosing this option not only saves resources (mailing letters and making phone calls gets expensive!), but it is an environmentally sound choice that helps everyone. You must have a Somerset County Library System library card to take advantage of this service. If you do not have one, please visit any SCLS branch (bring your proof of residency or employment) and register for a library card.
As part of an ongoing effort to save money and reduce printing costs, Warren Township Library and the Somerset County Library System offers our patrons the option of receiving e-mail notifications regarding programs and other news. Fliers, program booklets, and weekly bulletins are released nearly every day (but no worries - you'll never receive more than 3 emails per day from us!). No library card account is necessary to subscribe to this service.
In addition, you may also register your library account to receive overdue items alerts and hold notifications via e-mail. Choosing this option not only saves resources (mailing letters and making phone calls gets expensive!), but it is an environmentally sound choice that helps everyone. You must have a Somerset County Library System library card to take advantage of this service. If you do not have one, please visit any SCLS branch (bring your proof of residency or employment) and register for a library card.
Monday, March 15, 2010
NEW! Scrabble Club
Scrabble Club
Mondays, beginning in April
April 5, 4-6 p.m. and 7-8:30 p.m.
No registration required.
Although it is a bit early, we are excited to announce that we are forming a new Scrabble Club based on popular interest and requests from our patrons.
This is a BYOB (Bring Your Own Board) and you're welcome to bring along your favorite dictionary.
Please note that this is for adults only. Participants are welcome to bring a friend (or several).
For more information, please call (908P) 754-5554, ext. 64, or e-mail Marcela Dunham, Program Coordinator.
Mondays, beginning in April
April 5, 4-6 p.m. and 7-8:30 p.m.
No registration required.
Although it is a bit early, we are excited to announce that we are forming a new Scrabble Club based on popular interest and requests from our patrons.
This is a BYOB (Bring Your Own Board) and you're welcome to bring along your favorite dictionary.
Please note that this is for adults only. Participants are welcome to bring a friend (or several).
For more information, please call (908P) 754-5554, ext. 64, or e-mail Marcela Dunham, Program Coordinator.
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