Middletown Library to be closed Sundays from Memorial Day through Labor Day

If you have been a Sunday patron of the Middletown Library you need to read this will affect you.

A decision was made at Wednesday night’s meeting of the Middletown Library Board to close the Library on Sundays between Memorial Day and Labor Day, adding Sundays in June and the first week of September to the usual Sunday closures in July and August.

The decision was made in response to higher than expected costs related to packing and moving materials from the satellite branches and extending operation of the branches from January 25 to March 1.

A Call For Volunteers Arrives A Little Late To Help Pack Up Bayshore Branch Library Today

The last few postings have been from the Middletown Newsflash email that the township sends out to registered recipients. That email was sent out early this afternoon around 12:30, at 4:00 this afternoon  another newsletter was sent out requesting volunteers to help pack up the Bayshore branch of the Middletown Library. The funny thing is though, and I don't mean in a haha sort of way, the requested for help was sent out a little late for volunteers to show up today!

Also ironic is the fact that the Township Committee allowed this branch and others to close after depleting the Middletown Library of its surplus funds and now they want the area residents to help pack them up. Next, the township will be asking for volunteers to fix the Bayshore building up so the Recreation and Health Department can move into it!

If you're so inclined to help out with the packing, at least this message gave you enough time to make arrangements to volunteer on Monday

Today and Monday: Volunteers needed to pack up Bayshore Branch books!

About 20 able-bodied people are needed to pack up the remaining books at the now closed Bayshore Branch on Main Street in Port Monmouth. Volunteers must be able to bend and pick up books that are shelved from about eye level to the floor, and pack them into boxes. Volunteers must be 14 or older. You do NOT need to make an appointment - just show up!

Library staff will be on hand to provide instruction and supervise. The hours needed are:

Friday, March 15 from 2 - 5 pm
Monday March 18, from 11 am - 5 pm.+

FYI: Already, teachers in the public schools in the bay area have chosen several thousands of books for their students. The remaining books will be going to storm-damaged libraries in NJ and to a national charitable organization that distributes books to needy children, through libraries and schools. 

Middletown Library 732-671-3700 | http://www.mtpl.org/

2-4-13 Middletown Township Committee Meeting: Library Facts

Prior to Monday night's monthly workshop meeting of the Middletown Township Committee, the township released a statement addressing what it called the "misinformation being spread about the issues of the Library System in MiddletownTownship". 

This prepared statement was issued Monday afternoon after regular business hours and contained many inaccuracies, red herrings, and innuendo, that tried to pin the current library funding crisis and the pending closure of the of the three library satellite branches (Bayshore, Lincroft and Navesink) on the mismanagement of Library Director and the members of the former Library Board.

Over 30 library supports jammed the meeting to express their concerns and voiced their opposition to the closings during the Public Comments portion of the meeting. The Committee's  response to these people was to say that they had no control over the Library budget and that the residents should speak to the Library Board. Of course, no one on the Committee would admit or mention that the current library crisis was brought about because the township raped the library of nearly $1 million of reserved and surplus funds over the past few years and expanded the number of people that act as trustees on the library board in order to, essentially gain control over the library's budget. 

Our acting mayor Gerry Scharfenberger and former acting mayor Tony Fiore did a good job of playing dumb during the questioning and pleading of those expressing their support of the library, insisting that the Township Committee has nothing to do with the library and that there is nothing that they could do. The meeting became somewhat contentious at times.

This week's issue of the Independent has a story, "Library closings continue to cause controversy; Residents, Twp. Committee debate future of three library branches" that is a very good companion  to the video below. I suggest that everyone read this article and watch the video to get a full understanding of what transpired. 

As always, you can download a copy of the meeting agenda that contains the discussion items and the proposed resolutions and ordinances that were voted on or presented during the meeting. A box around an item is a link, bringing you further into the document to that resolution or ordinance. At the end of the resolution there will be a link bringing you back to the agenda. Attached to this agenda is also the monthly bill list, so that everyone can see how the Township is spending our tax dollars

Here is the text of the Township's statement concerning the Library:

MIDDLETOWN, NJ - Given the amount of misinformation being spread about the issues of the Library System in Middletown Township, it is important to all residents that the Township address some facts regarding this matter:

1. In New Jersey, Free Public Libraries are funded via the following formula established by State Law.: The total equalized assessed value of all properties in the municipality times .000333333.Thus, library funding increases as values go up and they decrease when values decline as they have been in recent years. For 2013, for example, the Municipal allocation for the Middletown Library is over $3.4 million. This amount has been decreasing in recent years as property values decline.
2. NJ library law gives the Library Board responsibility for the use of funds available for library purposes (Municipal: N.J.S.A. 40:54-12).Middletown Township’s governing body, the Township Committee, has no role or power regarding the way such funds are spent.
3. An issue has been raised to what have been referred to as “chargebacks.” These costs are actually the Library’s allocable share of its obligations. Library employees are covered by the Townships various insurance plans and the states pension system at great benefit to the Library whose cost would be much greater than if it had to obtain and pay for these directly. Therefore the payments associated with these are driven by the number and cost of covered employees of the library. The Library Board is to use funds from its statutory allocation for the Library’s portion of these costs. Since the Library receives its funds via a dedicated tax borne by the taxpayers for the purpose of funding all of their obligations, such costs should not be an added duplicate burden on the municipal budget and the taxpayers.
4. In previous years, the amount paid by the Library to cover these aforementioned costs were substantially lower than the actual costs, so in fact, the Library was paying far less than it should have for many years.
5. In order to explain the process for establishing the Library’s share of costs, a meeting was held between the Library Board’s President and Township Staff. The entire analysis was discussed. A subsequent meeting was held in December with the Library Board’s entire Finance Committee. The Township presented its analysis and some discussion ensued at which time it was agreed by the township to lower the costs by about $50,000.00. These reduced amounts had to do with services provided by the Township to the Library and were not associated with insurance or pension costs.
6. The Township has always absorbed certain additional costs associated with the Library. In fact, in 2002, the Main Library underwent an extensive remodel and expansion project. This cost was in excess of $8.5 million and the Township continues to pay the full costs of the debt service associated with this project which are approximately $650,000.00 per year. Also in 2002, the Township allocated $45,000.00 from municipal funds for work at the Bayshore Library Branch.
7. The Township anticipates including plans in its 2013 Capital Budget for a parking lot expansion at the Main Branch. This cost will also be borne out of the Township’s budget and not the Library’s.

There is no question that a funding mechanism based upon assessed property values was going to be challenging for the near future with home values decreasing. Now with the impacts of Superstorm Sandy, that challenge will last longer and have an even greater impact on both Library and Municipal budgets. The Executive Director and former Library board which gave 6% raises and continued its overstaffing and excessive overtime apparently did not plan for or anticipate the obvious future. Hopefully the new Library Board will take these matters into consideration and address them to continue Middletown’s terrific library system.

Please Save The Navesink Library

The following emailed letter was sent to me, as well as members of the Middletown Library Board of Trustees, Middletown's mayor and some members of the media.

This email is for all those interested in the future, and aware of the history, of the Navesink Public Library. I recently heard that three branches of the Middletown Township Public Libary System were recommended to be closed by the Library Director, Susan O'Neal.

I appeal to you to address this recommendation with love for the community! I know many residents of Lincroft passionately feel the Lincroft Library should remain open and I suspect residents of the Bayshore area have concerns as well. I especially feel deep concern over the suggestion of closing the Navesink Library, which serves the residents of Navesink, Locust and other residents of Middletown Township. It is such a special library that was donated with such special intentions of enriching Middletown.

I am so concerned that the branch location page on the libary system site states the Navesink Library "is scheduled to close on January 25 at five 5:00 p.m." for what is understood to be closed permanently. How can the site state the library is scheduled to be closed when the Board of Trustees has not reached such a decision yet?

http://mtpl.org/?q=locations

I read on Middletown Patch that Libary Board President, Lawrence Nelson, was open to suggestions that would would reduce the financial needs of the branch libraries. I have several! Volunteerism is one suggestion and I also suggest benefits to raise funds.

Addressing the Navesink Libary, I personally will volunteer there several hours one day a week and I know so many others that will happy to do so as well. I have a Bachelor's Degree in English Literature and my education exceeds that. Also, I will be happy to assist, even chair, any benefits that will raise funds for the Navesink Library.

http://middletown-nj.patch.com/articles/wednesday-s-vote-could-shut-the-book-on-three-library-branches

Another suggestion is reduced hours/ reduced days of operation at the Navesink Library. Maybe if the library was only open after school hours until 5:00 a few weekdays and open on Saturday in the morning that will part of THE SOLUTION that includes volunteerism and fund raising benefits! The reduced schedule will also reduce the cost of heating and electric! Volunteerism will save on salaries and benefits for paid employees! Sounds good to me!

Another issue I want to address in regard to the Navesink Libary is the historical significance of it to the Middletown Library System and to Middletown itself. Since this was the first main branch of the Middletown Library System wouldn't it be wonderful to preserve it? Is it even legal to close it considering it was built and donated to serve as a library and a place to stage performances that the residents of Middletown could enjoy? Since it was built and donated for that purpose isn't a responsibility of the Library Trustees to honor the intent of that donation?

http://209.212.22.88/data/rbr/1960-1969/1967/1967.10.03.pdf

http://books.google.com/books?id=KD9VAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA136&lpg=PA136&dq=herman+b+duryea+navesink+library&source=bl&ots=eOzNp09-3R&sig=DGy0xj45GjjEzqtGw_KsTE4fZgE&hl=en&sa=X&ei=bZLzUIOBEua40QHVvICoDg&ved=0CDwQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=herman%20b%20duryea%20navesink%20library&f=false

I have taken my little girl to story time at the Navesink Library for several years. The stories that Ms. Grace read and the craft that centered around a book that was also read that day were so wonderful! It has been an experience rich in benefits with children learning to love books and learning that what is read in a book can grow into something more than words and pictures on a page. What these experiences, shared in the warm, cozy and inviting atmosphere of the Navesink Library, has provided cannot be measured! I think it  will be a shame to rob the children whom currently enjoy the Navesink Library, and the children that could benefit from it in the future, of this wonderful experience!

It would be false to think that the aboved experience can be matched at the main branch. It cannot. I have taken my daughter to the main library for Mother Goose and I have also taken her there just to do some reading in the children's section. I will tell you that only once a staff member at the main branch smiled at me and at my little girl! The environment is cold and unfriendly! When my child was very young I would drive to the main branch a week prior to Mother Goose each week JUST to sign my daughter up! The story time for children filled up very quickly and would often be closed to adding another child to the list! How is closing other branches going to effect the number of children that benefit from story time if the branches are closed and the number of children allowed to attend at the main branch is already very limited?

Let me add that the list to sign up for children's programs was often not in the spot is was supposed to be and when I asked to librarian in the children's section where it was I was meet with rudeness. Once the only response I received was a finger pointing in that direction! When I said it wasn't there, I received rolled eyes and, when she did walk over and see for herself that it was not there, she stated the list was not ready yet even though it was the afternoon of the day when the list to sign up is first is set out. I am a very pleasant and courteous person so I know that my questions should have been addressed in a more appropriate manner. There were other occasions when I have asked to locate the list I was told it was filled up already!

In addressing the limit of children that will be allowed to participate in the programs if the branches are closed, let us also consider the parking! Often, there is not enough parking at the main branch! Will funds suddenly be found to expand the parking lot? That would be sad when the funds could have preserved a library branch! The children that now walk to their local library when parents might be unable to drive them to the main library should also be considered. The Return of Funds back to the state of unused money is a consideration also because any money that could have been used to provide library services to the area should be used to continue to provide those services.

I have reached out to the media and to state offices. Maybe with the media attention this issue may receive, additional funds will be raised to save at least the Navesink Library! I appeal to you to not close the Navesink Library with its rich historical significance, its history of enrichment of the community and the promise it offers to continue to enrich the community.

Thank you very much,

Tara Kane
Middletown, NJ

Navesink, Bayshore and Lincroft Branches Of The Middletown LibraryAre Closing

In following up Linda Baum's earlier post "Three Middletown Library Branches Likely Closing", at night's meeting of the Middletown Library Board of Trustees meeting,December 19th,  it was announced that the Navesink, Bayshore, and Lincroft library branches of the Middletown Library system would be closing as part of cuts to the library's 2013 budget. The move is in response to declining revenues and saves approximately $200,000 annually.

Residents who attended the meeting expressed concern that there had been insufficient coordination with schools, which develop curriculums with library resources in mind, and that little public input had been sought.

Closures are not expected to occur until after the Board's re-organization meeting on January 16th.

More on this later....