The Mayor's Column

Library Expansion A Big Success

The Library Expansion is now one year old and we are proud to see that more and more residents are visiting and borrowing materials from this state-of-the-art center than ever before.

Circulation figures are up along with the number of visits to the facility, some of which can be attributed to having more space for programming and new programs that the staff has started since the expansion.

The staff has also taken many steps to make the new facility even more accessible to residents by offering several new services such as books by mail. Through this program, patrons can reserve books by calling or e-mailing the Library and the items will be mailed directly to the person's home. Residents are responsible for bringing the materials back to the Library, either during regular hours or in the drop box at the Drive-Thru window. They can also mail the materials back to the Library.

The drive-thru window has been a big hit among residents since it opened last year, giving residents who may have difficulty getting around an easy way to keep up on their reading. At the drive-thru, residents can either pick-up books they reserved or can drop-off books.

In addition, the new internet-based Ask-a-Librarian program allows anyone to communicate directly with someone on the Library staff directly on the facility's website www.monroetwplibrary.org. Residents can also text questions to the Library during normal operating hours. Simply send a text to 66746 and start the text message with the word “Monroe.”

Furthermore, the Library is continuing its support of local children's education by starting up new reading programs such as Gentle Paws, where children who may have problems reading out-loud practice reading to therapy dogs that appear to look like they are listening. 

Also, the State-award winning Mother Goose Storytime has grown into its new room - a much larger room in the newly expanded Children's Section. The expanded section is bustling every day with children who are not yet old enough for school.

The Library is also working to diversify its collection to reflect the various backgrounds of our residents.

The Library now subscribes to Mango Languages. Mango Basic is designed to appeal to a beginner in a new language, such as someone interested in learning every day greetings, goodbyes and helpful phrases in a short period of time. Mango Basic is available in 22 foreign languages and 14 English as a Second Language (ESL) courses. Library patrons can access the online program from home simply by using their library card number.

The Library is also building a stronger Indic language collection and to develop programming to address this growing segment of Monroe’s population. In partnership with the Indian Cultural Association of Monroe, the Library is planning a one-day Indian Cultural Festival for March 20.

For more information on the Monroe Township Library call (732) 521-5000 or visit www.monroetwplibrary.org. 
 

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