HH Year End Reports: Library Director Report to Mayor – TAPinto.net
HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, NJ – During the December 27 Council meeting, the Hasbrouck Heights Council decided not to read their year-end reports, but instead file the report with the Interim Borough Clerk, Laurie Varga, and have them published in TAPinto Hasbrouck Heights/Wood-Ridge/Teterboro
This is the final report from 2018.
2018 – Library Director’s Annual Report to the Mayor
The Free Public Library of Hasbrouck Heights continues to serve and meet the needs of a dynamic community. The Library shares its resources and is a member of the Bergen County Cooperative Library System (BCCLS). Our residents have access to over 11.5 million plus items with a library card and can visit 76 other locations in Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties.
Annual Circulation Stats (as of December 26)
- 110,588 items circulated to date.2
- 257 people use the computers each week.
- 91,678 people walked through the doors of our library.
- 6,554 residents have a Hasbrouck Heights library card.
- 8,338 reference questions were answered.
Library services include circulating a variety of books and media to the public, we sponsor educational programs, offer our professional research help, we offer free internet access, delivery to the homebound, offer free notary public service and proctoring of exams and computer training classes. With a valid library card, the public can download e-books and e-magazines without cost and can stream audiobooks, music and movies for smartphones, e-readers, and tablets.
Programming
Our library programs draw in people of all ages. To date, 6,513 people attended 374 library-sponsored activities. We have book discussion groups for children, teens, and adults. We offer a variety of self-help and educational seminars, music concerts, job search assistance, and cross-generational craft programs throughout the year.
Our popular Crafts-to-Share Club draws a dedicated following under the direction of Head of Reference Melissa Singlevich. The attendees continued to donate their time, materials, and talent to knit and crochet blankets, hats and other apparels to Tomorrow’s Children’s Fund at Hackensack Medical Center. A total of 1.680 hours of donated time was given in 2018.
Our children’s activities draw in high attendance year round. Our Youth Services Librarian Kate Senedzuk is hard at work trying to cultivate the love of reading. She has given class tours, made visits to the elementary public schools and Corpus Christi, promoted summer reading at school assemblies, at summer camp in Woodland Park, has done story time down by the town pool, visited the students in the Keys Program over the summer and has cultivated partnerships with local organizations such as the Junior Woman’s Club to offer additional programming.
In one year, the Library has supervised and helped 95 students complete 768 hours of community service hours.
The Library facilities continue to offer a haven for local organizations to meet – 106 groups used the meeting rooms this year. A total of 1,674 people met at the Library for meetings.
The public can register for various library programs from the comfort of their homes by going to the library’s website – hasbrouckheightslibrary.org. Get the latest up-to-date news when you follow the Library on Facebook, Twitter, and lnstagram.
2018 Milestone Accomplishments
The 11th Annual Family Summer Bash took place in August. This year’s theme was called-Libraries Rock. A great line-up of family-friendly activities was planned throughout the evening. About 350 people were in attendance. Special thanks to the borough agencies and sponsors for making it a success.
In collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce, the Library hosted the 5th Annual Taste of Hasbrouck Heights & Friends at the Fiesta. Twenty-eight eateries donated signature dishes. Over 200 people were in attendance. Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to our major sponsors and donors for making this event possible.
In recognition of our centennial donors, a plaque dedication ceremony was held on December 15.
$43,000 was raised to support the future purchase of laptops and needed equipment. To help meet the need of our residents, ten hotspots are now available for lending.
Friends Of The Library
The Library receives steadfast support from the Friends of the Library, presided over by Micky Maschio. The Friends help to finance programs and pay for refreshments and prizes. Close to $15,000 has been donated to support ongoing programs this year.
Thirty-two local businesses have signed up for the Friends Merchant Program for 2019. All have agreed to offer discounts when an individual presents his/her Friends membership card. This is the eleventh year the Friends has been able to develop a “solid and growing” collaboration with our business community.
Funding
The Library received monies used for operating expenses from per capita state aid — $5,183.
In conclusion, the Library continues to strive and offer a wealth of resources for the whole family and an opportunity for lifelong learning. We thank you for the ongoing support. You help to make this Library what it is today.
Respectfully submitted, Mimi Hui
Library Director
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