The Public Library, Alive and Well in Red Bank

As far back as I can remember the local public library played an important role in my life and the life of the communities I have lived in, from various small towns to the Big Apple. Getting and using a library card was a big deal. I was fortunate that the public library in the town I grew up in was within walking distance. Particularly in the summer, my mother, a school teacher, would regularly parade my siblings and I there. Not much compares to the enjoyment of diving into a different world in words each week and the sheer pride of completing a book. I cherished it and still count the memories of summer reading among some of my favorite childhood times. 

I still remember card catalogs, microfiche and having to be patient. As a member of a generation that grew up along with the personal computer and is growing old(er) along with the internet, I still recall when a research paper required a trip or trips to the public library.

“There was no internet when I was your age,” I explain to my eight year old and she looks at me like I pre-date heaven and/or I am lying. And with the advent of the information super highway and the digital form of instant everything, I admit that the number of my visits to the library declined. Reports of a drop off of library use at the turn of the century and the necessity to trim budgets when financial storms began to brew seemed to be tolling a bell on the life of the public library. 

But as the country and our own town observes the 53rd annual National Library Week, there is reason to believe that reports of the death of the public library were greatly exaggerated and it may actually be the downturn in the economy that is indirectly responsible for resuscitation. That is the prognosis anyway of the President of the Board of Trustees for the Red Bank Library, Brigid McCarthy. 

“National attendance numbers show,” she said. “That when the economy turns bad people turn to the libraries; to borrow rather than buy books, to read newspapers and magazines for free, to use the computers and copiers, to get information on job searches or new careers and community services and maybe just to have someplace interesting to go during their day.” 

Indeed, a patron need only look at the regular schedule of monthly events or the planned programs for the present celebratory week, to appreciate how earnest the old public library is for becoming the new hub of high-minded activity.

McCarthy, who has been president of the board since late 2009, said the full spectrum of events and programs is merely fulfilling the mission of the Red Bank Public Library, to be a welcoming destination for everyone in the town to meet, read, learn, exchange ideas, and be entertained. She added that the staff has been successful in expanding programs to include something for everyone, including, authors events, the acoustic music series, art lessons, financial, medical and history programs. The Children's Department has a full schedule of story times, crafts, computer training and even yoga for kids. 

And following a national trend of public library outreach to fellow, local cultural organizations for partnering, McCarthy suggested that it is the hope of the Board to do even more in the future to develop relationships with the theaters and arts organizations in town. 

In February, as part of the library’s efforts and events to celebrate Black History Month, the cultural expression of quilt making was explored with a program that included another local cultural hub, FrankTalk, art bistro and books along with StoryTellers in Cloth and the Two River Theater Company. All three organizations partnered under the Red Bank Library roof, to create a practical discussion of the tradition of quilt making as well as a performance that depicted the influence of the art form. 

The event was standing room only, marking the manifestation and success of McCarthy and the Board’s hope for these sorts of meaningful relationships. 

With the rising cost of books, music, movies and computer hardware and software, along with the deficit in the wallets and pocketbooks of Americans, McCarthy said communities look to public institutions like the library to fill the voids cheaply. 

“We see the library as the place to get access to the latest technology for learning, as well as entertainment such as electronic e-readers, games, videos, music downloads and databases for research,” she said. 

And, with the slow but steady disappearance of the now endangered species of the local video store, the library has become one of the last posts for readily available films.

It is important to note that, despite increased library patronization, just as heads of households have had to tighten their belts during the current recession, the heads of public institutions, especially libraries, have also had to add a few new holes to their budgetary belts. 

“When the basic state funding was threatened last year we had such an outpouring of support from our patrons,” McCarthy said, “that I was told Governor Christie had to hire someone to deal with all the letters and e-mails that came in protest.” 

That source of funding was maintained, but McCarthy admitted that some services had to be cut and adjustments to the budget had to be made. 

To support this and other local libraries, McCarthy suggested that community members should simply continue to utilize the library, to get library cards, to use the free services, to attend programs, to bring their children and become active library patrons.  All of these typical and age-old uses pulse energy into these halls of letters.  For those who would like to do more, to be a part of the new public library revitalization, McCarthy recommended becoming a part of the recently established Friends of the Library. 

The group's purpose is to support the library and to raise funds to help acquire items on the library’s wish list. The Friends have hosted successful book sales and social evenings at the library.   She concluded that donations are always welcome as well.  “We have a remarkable tradition in Red Bank of generous giving by donors and patrons most notably by the Eisner family who deeded their home to Red Bank to be used as this library.”

The Red Bank Public Library is currently celebrating National Library Week.  First sponsored in 1958, the observance is sponsored by the American Library Association and by local libraries across the country every year during the month of April.  National acknowledgments and programs mark the special week, along with individual events created by your specific local library.  For more information about how the Red Bank Public Library is celebrating, check them out on the web at: http://www.lmxac.org/redbank/ or better yet, stop in for a visit and don’t forget your library card.