2016 Library Commission

Ms. Jean E. Allured, Chair

Mr. Thomas Valasek, Vice-Chairman

Ms. Nouhad Jensen

Mr. William J. Newitt

Mr. Peter Mustardo

2016 Freeholders

Suzanne Lagay, Director

John E. Lanza, Deputy Director

John King

J. Matthew Holt

Robert G. Walton

George W. Wagner, Chief of Staff

Message from the Director

I am very pleased to present this 2016 Annual Report to you. It is very gratifying to re-

view the many activities and services our dedicated staff provided to Hunterdon County

in 2016. These pages are a testament to their commitment to fulfill the vision of our or-

ganization: To Inform, Inspire and Innovate. Their efforts have enabled us to achieve our

mission to provide library facilities and services that meet the evolving needs of the Hun-

terdon County community.

The vision (below), which we established in 2013, has served us well and will continue to

guide us as we move forward into the uncharted waters of the future.

INFORM

We believe an informed community is an empowered community. We are dedicated to

enriching lives with outstanding library facilities, resources and services. Our commitment

to developing strong partnerships broadens our ability to enhance the quality of life for the

Hunterdon County community.

INSPIRE

We seek to inspire others; we create worlds of possibility. We are dedicated to enriching

our community with the transformative power of discovery. We are committed to excel-

lence.

INNOVATE

We are a dynamic public library; we embrace the challenges of the future. We welcome

opportunities to provide innovative programs and services. We strive to implement evolv-

ing technologies for seeking, receiving, and communicating information. We recognize

that our facilities and methodologies also need to evolve to meet the future needs of the

Hunterdon County community.

Thank you for your support and interest in our Library.

-Mark Titus, Library Director

Arbor Day

The tradition of planting a tree on the last Friday in April began on April 10, 1872 when

Sterling Norton planted a tree in Nebraska. Each year the Hunterdon County Shade Tree

Commission chooses a location in which to plant a tree. This year the North County

Branch Library was the recipient of a Sugar Maple tree.

Friends of the

Hunterdon County Library

This year in addition to the An-

nual Friends of the Hunterdon

County Library’s Book Sale, the

Friends added a Tricky Tray

fund raiser in October. The

Friends also set up a table in the

Community Tent at the Hun-

terdon County 4-H and Agricul-

tural Fair this year to help raise

awareness of both the organiza-

tion and of the library. The

Friends also provided four bas-

kets in April to celebrate Nation-

al Library Week. These baskets

were raffled off at Headquarters,

North County Branch and

South County Branch and on

the Bookmobile. The Friends

continue to maintain the flower

beds around Headquarters and

North County Branch Library.

Knitters Unite!

This year, over 75 stitchers knitted and crocheted over 474 hats, scarves, slippers and

mittens, which were donated to the Flemington Food Pantry and the Open Cupboard

Food Pantry in Clinton to help keep residents of Hunterdon County warm this coming

winter.

Community

The Hunterdon County Library is a vital part of its Community. Not only is the Com-

munity welcomed within the buildings, the staff takes many opportunities to bring the

Library’s commitment to its patrons to the Community:

Library staff members have participated in such events as the NORWESCAP Child

and Family Resource Services Community Stakeholders Resource Fair; at

this annual event each February we highlight library services, especially those available

to our youngest patrons. Shop-Rite of Hunterdon has long been a leader in Communi-

ty; the Bag Hunger event is held the third Wednesday of each September to raise

awareness of the issue of hunger in our communities.

In December, a trip to the Hunterdon County Senior Center highlighted all the ser-

vices available at the library focusing on reading lists, electronic resources and the down-

loadable materials the library has to offer. After the talk, the Coordinator of the Senior

Center's Computer Lab was enlisted to help seniors to discover and navigate our website

during open sessions.

The HCL Bookmobile with its bold bright royal blue and gold design is an ambassador

wherever it goes. In addition to its weekly schedule, the bookmobile visited four nursery

schools, one elementary school, Hampton School’s Literacy Night, Delaware Township

Summer Recreation Program, Community Day sponsored by the Hunterdon County

Chamber of Commerce, Raritan Township Community Day, Sergeantsville Fire Depart-

ment’s Prevention Fair and the Hunterdon County Park System’s Touch-a-Truck event.

The bookmobile was also the inspiration for a gingerbread creation in December.

Seed Exchange

New to the Headquarters Library this year! Seeds donated by seed companies are put in-

to smaller packets and are available for members to “check out”. A notebook near the

cabinet on the Lower Level provides a place for members to communicate with each oth-

er about what has worked and what hasn’t. A harvest event allowed members to share

their abundance with each other, including this eggplant resembling a young Bob Hope.

The Hunterdon County Library, the Friends of the Hunterdon County Library and the

Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce continue to support large scale events each

year. Makers Day, Outdoor Art Show and Sale, Garden Expo, Comic Fest, Photo

Show and Gingerbread Houses have become perennial favorites.

Displays

Not only do the libraries display their materials to entice patrons with something new,

local artists and artisans are invited to display their creations in the libraries’ showcases

and on the walls. Artwork from local students can also be found on the bulletin boards

in the Youth Services areas of all three libraries.

Adult Programs and Concerts

The Hunterdon County Library continues to host a wide array of programs at all three lo-

cations ranging from a reptile program presented by the Hunterdon County Parks Depart-

ment to world class musicians such as the Eric Mintel Quartet and pianist Frederick Mo-

yer. The highlight of our calendar is the Outdoor Summer Concerts sponsored by the

Friends of the Hunterdon County Library, this year complete with a vintage ice cream

truck.

Chamber Radio

In its fourth year, The Library Show can be heard each Thursday morning from 11:00 -

12:00 on www.hunterdonchamberradio.com. In addition to bragging about all the library

has to offer, there are often author interviews ranging from local author Patti Kerr to debut

author Libby Cudmore to best-selling author Ann Hood.

Youth Services

The Youth Services Departments at each location offer a wide array of materials, displays

and programs to inspire our younger patrons.

Notary Publics

The Hunterdon County Library added a much sought after service this

year. Seven library staff members have been sworn in and are ready to

notarize documents at the Headquarters, North County Branch or South

County Branch Libraries. Check the library’s website for details.

Library Card Month

Each September, libraries across the United States celebrate the importance of having a

library card. In Hunterdon County we use this as an opportunity to promote local

businesses and save our patrons a bit of money as well.

Reading

In addition to the traditional Youth Services and Adult Summer Reading Clubs an

Adult Winter Reading Club was added this year. A more laid-back, self-guided club,

the members met at the start of the club to share reading suggestions and then at the

end of the club to recommend what they read to other readers. The Headquarters,

North County Branch, South County Branch Libraries and the Friends of the Hunter-

don County Library also have monthly reading groups open to all.

Let’s Play!

Looking for something a little different? The library has a collection of board games

and coloring books and pencils on the Lower Level at the Headquarters Library. A

crossword puzzle is often available at the North County Branch to sharpen your brain.

The Youth Services Department at all three locations has a train table for our youngest

patrons’ enjoyment and take home crafts and coloring sheets can often be found there

a well. This past summer, Pokemon Go was a popular App with visitors at all three of

our libraries. Monthly bookmarks with the month and “HCL” hidden among the imag-

es have become a favorite of our patrons. The complete collection can be seen on the

Lower Level at Headquarters.