NJ Libraries Eliminated From State Budget
Gov. Christie's budget calls for a 74% decrease in funding for statewide library services. This cut includes the elimination of all statewide library programs and services. This will affect all types of libraries in New Jersey. Once state funding is eliminated, NJ will lose $4.5 million in federal funding. What does this mean to NJ residents? Once state and federal funding are lost the impact will be felt by all residents:
Access to electronic databases such as RefUSA and EBSCO will cease
Statewide interlibrary loan and delivery of library materials will cease
Put back one dollar for each NJ citizen and the 74% cuts to libraries would be restored!
Libraries will lose 50% of state aid at a time when demand for services is increasing dramatically
More than half of public libraries will lose access to the Internet
Many libraries will lose email service
Many libraries will lose their websites or access to them
The Talking Book and Braille Center (known as the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped) will close
Group contracts which bring down the cost of other electronic resources purchased by libraries will cease
At the same time the state is eliminating funding for library programs. Assemblyman John DiMaio has introduced A2555 which eliminates the minimum local funding requirement for municipal public libraries.
This assault on libraries must be stopped! Here is what you need to know:
160,242 people enter a NJ library every day
The $10 million in library programs cut from the Governor's budget represent little more than $1 per capita in state funds.
Library programs have been flat funded for 20 years so it is hard to believe these small programs have caused the state's current fiscal crisis.
Local library funding targeted in A2555 typically represents less than 3% of local property taxes.
What can you do?
Become a Library Champion. Join the Facebook group Save NJ Libraries and check for updates on our efforts.
Call or send a message to the Governor (609) 292-6000, your State Senator and Assembly representatives opposing the elimination of funding for library programs and A2555.
Assembly and Governor contacts: http://capwiz.com/ala/nj/home/
When you become a Library Champion we promise that we will only use your email address to contact you on issues affecting library service. Please join us in preserving library service in New Jersey.
New Jersey Libraries - Busier Than Ever
According to the latest data your public library is a very busy place.
48,531,094 annual visits to public library
59,800,386 items checked out- up 4 million from last year
8,405,278 questions asked
3,686,779 programs attended
144,105 NJ children read 1,992,427 books during summer reading last year.
68% of the American Public have a library card
83% of New Jersey residents say funding public libraries is a good investment (source: 2007 Potomac Public Opinion Survey)
71% of New Jersey residents believe a public library is an essential service for the community- not a cultural amenity. (source: 2007 Potomac Public Opinion survey)
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
New Jersey Transit Rate Hike Hearings - Morristown
Take Action!
Where are the hearings? Morristown will be at:
MORRISTOWN
Morristown Town Hall - Senior Community Center (3rd Fl.)
200 South Street, Morristown, NJ
on March 26, 2010 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
March 25, 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.: Paterson, Newark, Trenton, Manalapan
March 26, 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.: Secaucus, Morristown, Camden, Long Branch, New York City
March 27, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.: Hackensack, Atlantic City, East Brunsick.
Attend a hearing: Get details on hearing times and places.
Speak out online: Comment on NJ Transit's plan (Use the Online Comment Form link).
We hope that you can join us at the hearings! State decision makers need to hear that this unfair plan will cause financial pain and make it harder to get around the state. We understand that taking time out from your day to speak at a hearing is a big commitment. Transit officials and politicians recognize this too, which is why attending hearings can make a big difference. Just ask New Yorkers-their transit agency just canceled a slew of planned service cuts after thousands of people spoke out.
Especially heinous are the cuts that will eradicate almost all NJ Transit Morris County buses. These buses provide the only transportation that some people are able to afford to get to college, work, social service agencies, food banks, abused women's shelters, the Morristown Hospital and their doctors. Please protest these service cuts.
If you can't make it, you can comment on NJ Transit's website until Monday, March 29.
Please help us send a message by attending a hearing or by speaking out online!
Thank you!
Where are the hearings? Morristown will be at:
MORRISTOWN
Morristown Town Hall - Senior Community Center (3rd Fl.)
200 South Street, Morristown, NJ
on March 26, 2010 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
March 25, 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.: Paterson, Newark, Trenton, Manalapan
March 26, 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.: Secaucus, Morristown, Camden, Long Branch, New York City
March 27, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.: Hackensack, Atlantic City, East Brunsick.
Attend a hearing: Get details on hearing times and places.
Speak out online: Comment on NJ Transit's plan (Use the Online Comment Form link).
We hope that you can join us at the hearings! State decision makers need to hear that this unfair plan will cause financial pain and make it harder to get around the state. We understand that taking time out from your day to speak at a hearing is a big commitment. Transit officials and politicians recognize this too, which is why attending hearings can make a big difference. Just ask New Yorkers-their transit agency just canceled a slew of planned service cuts after thousands of people spoke out.
Especially heinous are the cuts that will eradicate almost all NJ Transit Morris County buses. These buses provide the only transportation that some people are able to afford to get to college, work, social service agencies, food banks, abused women's shelters, the Morristown Hospital and their doctors. Please protest these service cuts.
If you can't make it, you can comment on NJ Transit's website until Monday, March 29.
Please help us send a message by attending a hearing or by speaking out online!
Thank you!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Frelinghuysen Arboretum - Garden Art Swap and Lecture
Program: Garden Art Swap and Lecture
Date: Sunday, April 25
Time: Noon – 4 pm
Location: Haggerty Education Center
The Frelinghuysen Arboretum
53 East Hanover Avenue, Morristown, NJ
Cost: $3.00
Garden Art Swap and Lecture
Everyone has some kind of unwanted decorative garden object and the Garden Art Swap is the place for them. Objects can include decorative containers, pottery, garden signs, statues, etc. And yes, pink flamingoes but nothing over 40 pounds, please! Swap items will be accepted from Noon - 1 pm at which time you will be given Trading Points.
At 1 pm, Pegi Ballister-Howells, author and radio host, will give a talk on “Four Seasons of Color”. From 2 pm - 4 pm you can exchange your Trading Points for others’ gently used treasures.
To learn about other events at The Frelinghuysen Arboretum, please visit their web site at www.arboretumfriends.org.
Horticulture Education Programs or http://www.MorrisParks.Net
Date: Sunday, April 25
Time: Noon – 4 pm
Location: Haggerty Education Center
The Frelinghuysen Arboretum
53 East Hanover Avenue, Morristown, NJ
Cost: $3.00
Garden Art Swap and Lecture
Everyone has some kind of unwanted decorative garden object and the Garden Art Swap is the place for them. Objects can include decorative containers, pottery, garden signs, statues, etc. And yes, pink flamingoes but nothing over 40 pounds, please! Swap items will be accepted from Noon - 1 pm at which time you will be given Trading Points.
At 1 pm, Pegi Ballister-Howells, author and radio host, will give a talk on “Four Seasons of Color”. From 2 pm - 4 pm you can exchange your Trading Points for others’ gently used treasures.
To learn about other events at The Frelinghuysen Arboretum, please visit their web site at www.arboretumfriends.org.
Horticulture Education Programs or http://www.MorrisParks.Net
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Morris County Local buses Discontinued!
The following Morris County Local buses operated by private carriers will be discontinued as of May 1, 2010:
-- MCM 1: Morristown to the Willowbrook Mall
-- MCM 2: Morristown to County College of Morris
-- MCM 3: Morristown, Morris Township to the Livingston, Short Hills malls
-- MCM 4: Dover to Honeywell campus, Morris Twp.
-- MCM 5: Morristown to Rockaway Townsquare mall
-- MCM 7: Milton to K-mart Plaza on Route 10, Victory Gardens
Three Morris/Warren Minibuses — 966, 973, 967 — will also be discontinued.
This is absolutely unfair to seniors and workers in the Morristown area. I am wondering if this is blowback from NJ Transit to Christie for the NJ Transit cuts. As usual, seniors and the working poor suffer. Here is the bus schedule and areas covered for these buses.
-- MCM 1: Morristown to the Willowbrook Mall
-- MCM 2: Morristown to County College of Morris
-- MCM 3: Morristown, Morris Township to the Livingston, Short Hills malls
-- MCM 4: Dover to Honeywell campus, Morris Twp.
-- MCM 5: Morristown to Rockaway Townsquare mall
-- MCM 7: Milton to K-mart Plaza on Route 10, Victory Gardens
Three Morris/Warren Minibuses — 966, 973, 967 — will also be discontinued.
This is absolutely unfair to seniors and workers in the Morristown area. I am wondering if this is blowback from NJ Transit to Christie for the NJ Transit cuts. As usual, seniors and the working poor suffer. Here is the bus schedule and areas covered for these buses.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Morris Habitat plans to send shelter kits to Haiti
The Morris Habitat ReStore is leading a campaign to collect at least $2,500 from local residents to pay for 10 emergency shelter kits for the people in Haiti affected by the devastating earthquake that struck on January 12. You can contribute now by clicking the “Pay Now” button to send a secure online credit card donation via PayPal.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
March Concerts at the Morris County Library
Concerts take place at the Morris County Library Saturday, March 6th and 13th:
Serenata Trio (flute, guitar and violin), Saturday, Mar. 6th, 3PM, play a program of Italian composers, Fera Italia
Sospiro Winds, string ensemble, peform March 13th, Saturday, 3PM.
Serenata Trio (flute, guitar and violin), Saturday, Mar. 6th, 3PM, play a program of Italian composers, Fera Italia
Sospiro Winds, string ensemble, peform March 13th, Saturday, 3PM.
Free Morris County Libary Movies - February and March
Friday Films, 2PM
films are free and seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis [public meeting room]
February: Black History Month
Amistad 1998, R, 2hrs, 35m
Lady Sings the Blues 1972, R, 2hrs, 24m
Cry the Beloved Country 1995, PG-13, 1hr 51m
Ali, 2001, R, 2hr 37m
March: Irish Films
The Boxer 1997, R, 1hr, 54m
Veronica Guerin 1972, R, 1hr, 38m
Far and Away 1995, PG-13, 2hrs 20m
Good Will Hunting, 2001, R, 2hrs 2m
films are free and seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis [public meeting room]
February: Black History Month
Amistad 1998, R, 2hrs, 35m
Lady Sings the Blues 1972, R, 2hrs, 24m
Cry the Beloved Country 1995, PG-13, 1hr 51m
Ali, 2001, R, 2hr 37m
March: Irish Films
The Boxer 1997, R, 1hr, 54m
Veronica Guerin 1972, R, 1hr, 38m
Far and Away 1995, PG-13, 2hrs 20m
Good Will Hunting, 2001, R, 2hrs 2m
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Morris County Library - Walk and Talk
Greystone Then and Now
Tuesday January 26 at 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
presented by Preserve Greystone
Geri Silk facilitator
Interactive Gallery tour based on the photography on display in the library's second floor gallery, followed by audience participatory discussion.
Tuesday January 26 at 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
presented by Preserve Greystone
Geri Silk facilitator
Interactive Gallery tour based on the photography on display in the library's second floor gallery, followed by audience participatory discussion.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Morris Museum's Model Trains Gallery REOPENS!
Winter Festival
Model Trains Gallery Opening
Sunday December 27 Noon - 4 p.m.
Enjoy a day of winter fun for the whole family at the Morris Museum’s Winter Family Festival. The festival is included with museum admission, and is free for museum members.
Train enthusiasts of all ages can experience the romance of the rails in the reopening of the Morris Museum's Model Trains Gallery. This permanent exhibition, All Aboard! Railroads Real and Imagined opens with a ribbon cutting ceremony at noon.
Children and adults are invited to visit the Model Trains and to participate in special activities:
Explore hands-on activities in our new, permanent Model Train gallery
Make a train picture frame
Design a railroad
Make your own snowflake
Create a snowman
Decorate a sleigh bell
Enjoy a performance by the Brightest Star Carolers
Listen to a 'train conductor' read the holiday favorite, The Polar Express
Also on 12/27, The Bayer Children’s Theatre Series at the Morris Museum’s Bickford Theatre presents Santa Claus Meets the Wicked Wizard. This fun-filled musical comedy is a holiday treat for the whole family.
Shows at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. All tickets: $8
Model Trains Gallery Opening
Sunday December 27 Noon - 4 p.m.
Enjoy a day of winter fun for the whole family at the Morris Museum’s Winter Family Festival. The festival is included with museum admission, and is free for museum members.
Train enthusiasts of all ages can experience the romance of the rails in the reopening of the Morris Museum's Model Trains Gallery. This permanent exhibition, All Aboard! Railroads Real and Imagined opens with a ribbon cutting ceremony at noon.
Children and adults are invited to visit the Model Trains and to participate in special activities:
Explore hands-on activities in our new, permanent Model Train gallery
Make a train picture frame
Design a railroad
Make your own snowflake
Create a snowman
Decorate a sleigh bell
Enjoy a performance by the Brightest Star Carolers
Listen to a 'train conductor' read the holiday favorite, The Polar Express
Also on 12/27, The Bayer Children’s Theatre Series at the Morris Museum’s Bickford Theatre presents Santa Claus Meets the Wicked Wizard. This fun-filled musical comedy is a holiday treat for the whole family.
Shows at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. All tickets: $8
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