Changing role of public libraries
As people have changed the way in which they seek and acquire information, likewise libraries are redefining the role in they play in our communities.
Today's libraries are places of opportunity that:
 | provide access to the internet for those who may not have a computer or internet connection in their own home |
| offer a safe haven for children after school hours as well as the resources they need to succeed educationally |
| support lifelong learning through the provision of programs and materials |
| develop early literacy skills through story hours and programs where young children acquire the skills they need to enter school ready to read |
| create a place for socialization for our older residents who may often be socially isolated in their own homes |
| help people find all the information needed for work, school or life decisions. |
High Demand
More and more people in Fanwood and Scotch Plains are using their libraries each year. In 2006 a record number of patrons passed through our doors: 139,146 at the Scotch Plains Public Library and 48,450 at the Fanwood Memorial Library. The number of items borrowed by residents of both communities totaled 219,086 - an increase of 9% over the previous year. Currently, the libraries have a combined total of 18,359 card holders.
Room for improvement
Both Fanwood and Scotch Plains library buildings were constructed prior to the use of computer technology, Scotch Plains in 1966 and Fanwood in 1951. In each case we have had to retrofit our buildings with wiring and cabling to provide access to the internet. The Fanwood Library is not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Neither library has adequate meeting space to accommodate the growing demand for programs for all ages. The libraries lack the smaller meeting space that is so valuable in supporting small meetings, accommodating groups of students working on team projects, creating quiet study areas, hosting tutoring sessions, or providing convenient space for small business meetings.
Although we have done our best to provide access to public computing, we are unable to accommodate additional computers or to provide the level of access and training that is available in other area libraries with dedicated computer labs.
Both buildings lack the energy efficiencies found in newer buildings.
Comfortable, relaxing seating that is in demand by today's library users are also in short supply.
Both libraries lack adequate space to display current collections effectively and have no room to allow for continued growth or additional services.
Planning for the future
In the past two years, the public libraries in Fanwood and Scotch Plains have been collaborating to improve the delivery of library services to people in both communities. Together the library directors have secured $84,638 in Share Grant funds from the State Department of Community Affairs to support:
| a shared computerized system for the online library catalog and to manage the check out and return process. |
| purchase and development of online content databases such as The Joint Digital Archives (www.thejointlibrary.org/archives), Historical New York Times, genealogy databases and NextReads electronic reader's advisory service. |
| coordinated policies, joint collection development and shared purchasing which yielded the new Travel Guides collection; PlayAways (books in a portable, self-contained mp3 unit), better fulfillment of popular titles. |
| popular programs like the Movies in May Film Festival, Book Beats, and other shared programming initiatives. |
