Adults and teens were by no means forgotten. The Friends of the Library continued their foreign film series. Program director Pat King was able to bring films to Teaneck as soon as they were released on video and many generated their own "buzz" and always large crowds. The Friday Morning Group hosted an eclectic selection of talks, performances, and discussions in events aimed at a senior citizen audience but suitable for all adults. In January, the Library celebrated "Carl Sandburg Month" with an exhibit, a concert, a lecture, and a trivia contest.  There was so much interest that additional prizes (a volume of Sandburg's poetry) had to be ordered! During October, the Library joined with the American Library Association to mark "Teen Read Week". A contest was held on teen trivia, ca. 1999, and prizes were awarded. Donors included MTV, AEC, the Library's music source, and Teaneck's own Doug Glanville, all-star centerfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies. Grand prize winner Kristen Hard walked away with a framed, autographed poster of Doug. Enthusiasm was generated by many of the Library's monthly art exhibits. A collection of models of 20th century naval ships displayed by the Ship Model Society of Northern New Jersey (organized by Teaneck resident Donald Otis) in May, caused a feature article in The Record to be run, attracting many Navy veterans to the Library to admire the handiwork.

MP3, DVD, DSL, Ebook, 24/7,WM, and Y2K were acronyms that affected the Library in 1999 and promise to have continuing impact in 2000.  Let us explain. Information, a primary focus of libraries, is driven by technology. The Library must keep up and re-invent itself or become irrelevant. A Library measures its "sales" by circulation of materials - books, CDs, videos, and other materials. In this regard, Teaneck remains number one of the 72 libraries in BCCLS (Bergen County Cooperative Library System). Circulation remains very high at 430,000 items loaned. High usage means the Library is important to residents.

The Library sought to expand its web page by hiring a new technology librarian, Weilee Liu. The calendar of events was greatly enhanced and local history materials, particularly a clipping file on Teaneck participants in WWII, were scanned and made available. Plans were developed to utilize a new digital camera to begin a Teaneck then and now project. Photos will be taken of sites in Teaneck as they are in 2000 and placed alongside the historic photos contained in our files. All this can be found on the Library's web site at www.teaneck.org. The Library prepared for Y2K by utilizing nearly $15,000 from a State Library Technology bond fund. Office computers were upgraded to faster processors, new computers for public word processing were acquired, and the Library's voice mail system was upgraded. The new millennium arrived without incident. The Library monitored changing formats in consumer electronics. The first audiobooks on compact disc were offered. Plans were developed to introduce DVDs as this format became more and more popular. MP3 technology for downloading music from the Internet and the implications of Ebook technology for libraries were continually assessed.

The Library was aided by volunteers and donors in 1999. We would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank them. At a Volunteer Recognition Day, held in the Library auditorium in September, over 75 people were saluted for their help with the literacy program, for being "adopt a shelf" volunteers (a Library program sponsored by the Friends in which one agrees to maintain a given section of books) and the Friday Morning Group steering committee. The Friends of the Library also hosted concerts, sponsored a huge book sale, and made a number of donations to support Library collections and program.

Donations were received in memory of Elwood Gannett, Beatrice Nashel, Etta Handsman, and Arthur Brody. The Library was able to add to its reference collection, acquire the series Great Pianists of the 20th Century on compact disc and added other beautiful books to its circulating collections. Drs. Rosalee and Raymond Weiss made a large donation to the Library in honor of their daughter, Lynn, who lost her life to cancer in 1975. They also earmarked part of their estate for the Library in her honor.

The Library is a popular destination. The structure gets heavy use and needs to be maintained. In 1999, the Library completed repairs to its slate roofs, the catalog computers were moved from the courtyard to the reference room, the re-lighting of the reference room and the courtyard area was set to go to bid at year-end, and studies were underway to renovate the building in stages to make the environment more comfortable and to help cope with high volume.

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.

Reciprocal Borrowing Privileges: Your Teaneck library card is valid at 71 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 nine 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.

COPIERS - The Library has three photocopy machines--$0.I0 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: Friends film series - Foreign films shown every other Wednesday evening, and classics on Fridays. Concerts - from September-May - Once a month on Sunday afternoons, free, generally classical music. Friday morning group - every Friday from September - June, primary audience is seniors although all are welcome - lectures, slide shows, group discussions.

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.

Back to Teaneck Municipal Services 2000

Back to Home