Library Annual Report 1970

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REPORT TO THE VILLAGE TRUSTEES

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To another year of progress, which by the usual criteria set new highs in membership, circulation and total holdings, the library was substantially enriched by gifts of a number of original paintings, and by the establishment of the Abelson Trust Fund. This fund was created by the friends and family of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Abelson of Warwick Avenue as a permanent remembrance of their 50th wedding anniversary. The annual income from the fund is to be used to purchase a suitable addition to the library collection.

We also wish to take this opportunity to thank our other benefactors for their continued interest, the library staff for its dedication and service, and you, the Village Trustees for your continued support.

Sincerely,
The Board of Trustees of the South Orange Public Library
Kenneth A. Lawrence, President
Walter W. Spain, Vice President
Mrs. Harriet B. Connolly, Treasurer
Mrs. Alyce Lewis, Secretary
Mrs. Muriel Weisman
Ex Officio
Hon. Brian D. Conlan
Dr. Herbert W. McDavit

DIRECTOR'S REPORT 1970

To the Library Board of Trustees:

With the nationwide inauguration last year of the "Right to Read" program as the goal for the decade of the 1970's, the importance of libraries has been stressed as never before. To achieve this end we must continue to strengthen our resources, program and services to meet our educational responsibility to all individuals of the community, both young and old.

In this, the second full year in our new library building it is clearly evident that the library's facilities are being used by the public more and more, with a noticeable increase in users as distinct from borrowers.

During this past year the book collection has grown by 5,282 volumes-carefully chose to service contemporary ends and to reflect changes in intellectual interests of the community - bring the present book count to 65,552.

Many of our reference holdings have been updated, and new business services have been added. The use of films, recordings and microfilm has continued to grow, and our microfilm holdings have almost tripled during the year.

As the statistical summary shows, the South Orange Public Library last year circulated a total of 151,971 books and other library materials.

Children's Room activities included pre-school story hours in the spring and fall, visits from schools throughout the year as well as visits to the schools. Summer activities included a Reading Club, a rainy-day film program, and informal story hours. At an end-of-summer party 75 children received certificates for reading ten or more books.

In August, the library was fortunate in obtaining the services of Mrs. Mary E. Vorwerk as children's librarian. She began by opening the children's room on Monday evenings so that parents and children could visit and use its facilities together. Another first has been the scheduled exhibition of elementary school pupils' art work throughout the school year. Beginning at Halloween, story hours for school-age children were offered on Saturday mornings, with occasional special programs.

This report is basically eh report of the library staff, and to them I express my sincere appreciation for their cooperation an assistance in the operations of the library. I wish to thank the Library Board of Trustees for the considerable time and energy which they have spent in pursuing matters relating tot he library, the Village Trustees for their understanding of the role of the library in a free society, the village organizations, the press and the many individuals who through contributions, gifts and active supports have expressed their interest and concern for the continuing growth and improvement of the library.

Respectfully submitted,
Anthony E. Merkl

STATISTICAL SUMMARY

Library Holdings at end of year...
Books65,552
Paperback Books245
Periodicals and newspapers243
Recordings622
Microfilm reels1,503
16mm films: owned5
on deposit26
Pamphlets9,130
Pictures7,978
Maps274
Callege Catalogs556
Circulation of Materials...
Adult Department106,318
Juvenile Dept.45,653
1970 Total151,971
1969 Total151,015
1968 Total123,051
Registered Borrowers...
Adult10,941
Juvenile2,221
1970 Total13,162
1969 Total12,005
1968 Total10,662