| Library: 1998 Report |
General Information of the Library
In 1998, the Library continued to be an important and valuable destination for Township residents. The Library loaned some 439,000 items, both print and non-print, to borrowers last year. That ranks first among the seventy public libraries that make up the Bergen County Cooperative Library System (BCCLS) with Fair Lawn second at 395,000 and Paramus third at 352,000. Teaneck also has the most used collection in BCCLS. Its collection circulates the most among the libraries at three times per item. While Teaneck is not the largest library by building size nor collection size in BCCLS - it is the most used with the liveliest collection of materials.
BCCLS, which gets its funds from fees paid by the local libraries, a grant from the County Freeholders, and State Library Technology Bond funds, maintains the Library's computer operations. This makes it possible for you to use your library card in seventy public libraries, and acts as the conduit for library cooperative programs. BCCLS helped all the libraries through the Federal discounted telecommunication rate process which permits Teaneck to have a T- 1 phone line at greatly discounted prices. T-1 is a special phone line which permits fast access to the Internet, helps make the Library more efficient and permits exploration of more sites on the Internet.
The library has provided Internet access to the public since 1995 at ever increasing speed and on a growing number of computers. Whether it is to check one's e-mail, search for materials for a school report, search for job listings, or just check a fact, the Internet is an integral part of reference service. Staff are trained in the use of its resources. A growing number of print sources are being abandoned in favor of the Internet or other electronic media. In the era of the Internet as a source for information, the future of the public-library may seem to be in doubt. The large number of people who pour through the library doors indicates that reports of its death are premature. People use the library for education, entertainment, and as a place to see their neighbors. The social aspect of the institution, the browsing aspect of looking for a good read or research materials - these are hard to duplicate on the Internet.
In 1998, the Library was the beneficiary of several generous gifts. The largest gift in the Library's history came from the estate of Thayer Brown. Mr. Brown, who died at the age of 91 in August, 1995, included the Library among a list of universities and non-profit groups. His gift of nearly $56,000 will be used to start a renovation of the Children's room in 1999.
The Library received four landscape paintings from Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Minier. The artist, William Fisher, lived for a number of years in Teaneck. The works now grace the Library's mezzanine level.
Sue Brody, made another gift in memory of her late husband, Arthur. The Library added new CDs of chamber and folk music with this gift, augmenting what is arguably one of the best collections in New Jersey.
As a first step in a major renovation program, the flat roof was replaced in 1998 and the library switched from fuel oil to natural gas for heat and made the necessary conversion of its boiler. An architect was retained to formulate plans for this renovation program as a new structure was deemed impracticable.
The Friends of the Library continued to be a lively organization in 1998. Their foreign film screenings, often just as the work was released on video, were very popular. The one book sale held in the Fall proved to be the most successful ever in terms of number of volunteers and organization level. Their annual gala, held in May, featured the Teaneck High School Madrigal Singers and was a big hit. The Friend's activities led to a number of donations to the library. They supported the addition of unabridged books on tape in numbers far greater than the budget would permit. They supported the children's summer reading club. The Friends helped acquire a number of sets for the reference room including the multi-volume Dictionary of Art and the American National Biography.
New programs offered in 1998 proved popular. A book discussion group was formed and proved to be so popular that a second one was under consideration late in the year. Teaneck began a program that started in other Bergen libraries when it organized a corps of volunteers to "Adopt a Shelf". This group of your neighbors, over 100 people at year-end, agree to maintain a section of the Library's collection - a big help given the circulation figures mentioned above.
Finally, but not least, the Children's Department enjoyed another banner year. Despite the glamour of the Internet the one thing the Library wants to make sure it does well is serve the children of Teaneck. Reading should be a central part of every child's life. Success as a reader leads to success as a student, as an employee, as a citizen. In its programming, its collection, and its reader's advisory services, the library works diligently to instill in children a love of reading. We hope everyone shares in this goal.
General Information of the Library
Director: Michael McCue
Phone: 837-4171
Fax: 837-0410
Internet: www.teaneck.org
E-mail: MCCue@BCCLS.ORG
Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Friday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Saturdays 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Sundays 12:30 PM to 5:30 PM (Mid-September through Mid-June)
Children's Department as above
Phone Service: Reserve or renew up to three items by reading the bar code number on your library card or in the particular book, have short answer reference questions answered, get information about programs and services, locate needed books, media, and other titles if owned by BCCLS library.
Online Service: If you have access to the Internet, you can search the BCCLS library catalog at www.bccls.org. With a PIN number, which you can obtain at the library, you can also check the status of your account and search the online magazine index.
The Bergen library catalog is still available 24 hours a day via modem. The local number for access is 996-0092. Details and a brochure are available at the reference desk.
Reciprocal Borrowing Privileges: Your Teaneck library card is valid at 70 other public libraries in Bergen County and North Jersey. The libraries are linked by a daily delivery service that permits you to have materials sent to Teaneck and to return materials from other libraries to Teaneck. Your Teaneck library card gives you access to nearly 6 million items across Bergen County and at eight other community libraries.
Inter-Library Loans: The library has the ability to bring needed books and periodical articles to Teaneck for you from libraries around the country. Details at the reference desk--allow 5 to 20 days for materials to arrive.
Library Card: You are entitled to a library card if you live in Teaneck. Present either a NJ driver's license with your Teaneck address or a Bergen County ID card at the library's front desk. Children can get a card by having their parent with them or by showing a Teaneck school report card. Your library card must be presented each time you wish to borrow materials.
Miscellaneous Services:
COPIERS -- The library has three photocopy machines--$0.10 per page.
COMPUTERS -- The fee is now $0.50 per hour. Software available includes
Microsoft Office and Corel WordPerfect Suite.
INTERNET ACCESS -- The library offers Internet access via a T-1 line. Full
details at the reference desk.
Programs:
Reference Service: The library fields queries from people of all ages, education levels, etc. We find addresses of companies, evaluations of cars and consumer goods, criticism of authors, a doctor's credentials, material for preparing a resume, and facts and figures for the range of human knowledge. The library stocks current editions of many standard reference works and uses the services of the Internet, the New Jersey Regional Network, to find materials that answers a patron's questions. Reference service is available in person or over the phone except on Sunday when the level of in-house use does not permit phone service.
English as a Second Language: The library attempts to link people needing instruction in the use of the English language with volunteer tutors for one-on-one training. Contact Carol Anderson or Toby Weiss.
Service to Shut-Ins: The library provides the delivery and return of reading materials for those who are unable to visit the library in person. Contact Carol Anderson.
Children's Department: A variety of book-related programs and activities are planned throughout the year for children from preschool through eighth grade. Visits by school classes, day care centers, and other groups are welcomed. Arrangements should be made in advance by phone or in person, so that a program may be designed to meet the special needs of the group. All programs are free.