No man is an island

NO MAN IS AN ISLAND, AND THAT SENTIMENT OF CONNECTEDNESS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE OF LIBRARY ORGANIZATIONS TODAY.

The services that libraries can and do offer are a rich synthesis of the hard work of various groups of people: library staff, Trustees, government officials, our library Friends, our partners in the community, our State Library, library cooperatives, library consortia, as well as our neighboring libraries. By pooling our resources, talent, and ideas, we have made libraries much more responsive to our patrons needs, more visible in our communties, and better values for our tax dollars. By continually analyzing and re-asessesing "all things library", we move the bar upward, and then stretch to meet that new standard.

In Middlesex County, one day a year, we gather together at the Annual LMx Awards Reception to enjoy each others company and recognize the accomplishments of these groups. Last night was our night in 2006.



The award for Public Official of the Year went to Congressman, Rush Holt, who has long been our champion. He spoke about the value of libraries today in preserving democracy, and safeguarding our rights in the era of the Patriots' Act. He characterized librarians as feisty, and powerful, and valuable, a portrayal which stands in contrast to the traditional, stereotypical view of librarians.

Another awardee, recently retired Colleen Fantini of the Dunellen Public Library, emphasized that it is the people who work in libraries who are their greatest asset. I agree, and would add to that group, the people who work for libraries. Much of what you see in libraries represents "only the tip of the iceberg" in terms of effort expended. It is nice to have an opportunity to appreciate the varied efforts behind the scenes that make it all happen.

So ... thanks to all of you who make the South River Libray the best that it can be. We couldn't do it without you.

Andrea

The Library is boring!

Yes, we are! But I don't mean in the way some of you might think.

For all of you who have inquired about how the Library expansion project is going, I offer you this update. We are working very hard on developing the design and doing the behind the scenes work. We continue to meet with the architects, and the engineers, civil, mechanical, and geotechnical come and go doing their thing.

Today, we are getting our soil bored … and this nifty little machine is sampling the soil 15 ft or so below in a couple of spots around the Library to make sure that we are on solid ground, both literally and metaphorically.

And by the way, thanks for asking.

Andrea